Texas Fed Cattle Prices Firm,
Lots Full But Showlists Short

AMARILLO —(USDA)— Slaughter steers and heifers sold steady to firm in Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma feedlot trading last week. Trading was a standstill throughout the week except for Wednesday, when about 55,000 head sold.

Even though most area feedyards are at or near capacity levels, current showlists are the lightest in two years. Most feedlots traded their entire showlists with little carryover noted.

Carcass beef cutout values worked lower but CME futures trading was higher for the week. Sales were confirmed on 86,300 head, including 30,600 formulated cattle and 200 head of CME deliveries.

The weighted average price of all beef type steers was $69.23. The average liveweight of most cattle slaughtered at area packing plants the previous week was 1181 pounds, compared to 1189 a week earlier and 1184 a year ago. Heifer percentages were 47, 42 and 42, respectively.

Slaughter cattle prices held steady in other areas despite the slip in boxed beef prices and cattle futures. Demand from packers remains good even though margins have come down some and kills are slightly lower. Packers continue to pick cattle early as evident in the $15 price spread between Choice and Select products. Analysts usually have November and December pegged as a tough time for beef, but this year supplies of slaughter-ready cattle are lower and demand for beef at the retail level remains relatively good.

Northern feedlots continue to offer large showlists and heavy cattle, but these cattle were also placed heavy. In spite of that, feedlots continue to market cattle on a very current schedule.

Some Texas trading:

Slaughter steers: select and choice 2-3 1150-1300 lbs. $69-69.75, weighted average $69.24; select and few choice 2-3 1150-1350 lbs. $68-69, weighted average $68.86; carcass basis, select and choice 2-3 1250 lbs. $110.

Slaughter heifers: select and choice 2-3 1050-1200 lbs. $69-69.75, weighted average $69.23; select and few choice 2-3 1050-1250 lbs. $67.75-69, weighted average $68.83; carcass basis, select and choice 2-3 1150 lbs. $110.