Plains Fed Cattle Steady
At Midweek, Volume Modest

Plains feedlots sold a modest volume of cattle Wednesday at steady to slightly better money.

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association had tallied 33,000 head by midafternoon and expected to pick up several thousand more; prices ranged from a bulk of $69 to as much as $69.75. The showlist stood near 61,000 head, and captives added another 31,000.

Kansas counted 10,000 for the day at $69-69.50 with a few late trades to $70; another 27,000 captives brought the total for the week to date to $37,000 head. With 10,600 for Wednesday and 23,700 for the period, Nebraska reported prices of $68.50-69.50 live and mostly $109 dressed.

Midwest direct areas held steady at $69-69.50 live and $108.50-110 dressed. Terminals paid anywhere from $66 to $71.25.

The Southwest was quiet aside from a few pens of Holstein steers at $63 in the Southern San Joaquin Valley and Nevada. Slow trade in the Northwest saw steady to weak trends at $107-108 dressed, a few to $109.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices made some recovery in many areas, but it was touch and go in others.

St. Joseph, Mo. was unevenly steady to $2 higher on 2000 head, but buyers shied away from flesh. A roundup of four Florida auctions with 7966 head between them reported a steady trend. La Junta, Colo. offered 2330 head and called yearling steers $1-2 higher, other classes lightly tested.

In Texas, Crockett's 2000 head sold steady to $1 lower on weights under 500 pounds, heavier kinds fully steady. San Antonio quoted 1950 head steady to $3 higher, and 2600 at Amarillo were $1-2 higher on steers, $1 higher on heifers.

San Angelo's special sale Monday offered 4200 head on a weak market.

Rain reduced receipts at Oklahoma City to 6350 head, but the same moisture helped boost calf prices $3-6, as much as $8-10 on lightweight steers; yearlings sold $2-3 higher. Best 350-400 pound steer calves earned $101.50-107.50; 400-450 pounds $97-108; 450-500 pounds $90.25-101; 500-550 pounds $85.50-94.50; 550-600 pounds $81.50-89; 600-650 pounds $80.50-88; 650-700 pounds $78-84.50; yearlings, 600-700 pounds $83-89; 700-800 pounds $81-85; 800-850 pounds $80-81.50; and 850-900 pounds $76-77.