Plains Fed Cattle Trade Quiet
Early In Holiday-Short Week

Plains feedlots and packers stood several dollars apart as usual Tuesday, erstwhile sellers asking a steady to slightly stronger $71-72 and potential buyers bidding a not-to-be-taken-seriously $67-68.

A holiday-shortened kill schedule would ordinarily work in the packers' favor, but last week's movement was light and this week's showlists are shorter still. In Texas, which could count movement of only 32,400 head of captives for the week, the list was down another 37 head at 53,877.

Kansas was likewise quiet, marking 36,200 head of mostly captives for the period. Nebraska, with sales of 12,400 head over two days, reported a handful of steers bringing $112 in the beef.

Midwest direct areas were untested at presstime Tuesday. Terminals were reported steady to firm, however, at anywhere from $67 to $72.80.

Neither the Southwest nor the Northwest were reporting any activity following a week in which the former area gained $1 on light to moderate trade and the latter region picked up $1-2 dressed in fairly slow going.

Stocker and feeder cattle prices were likewise lightly tested as auctions across the country took the week off and those that didn't found receipts down because producers did. What sales obtained demonstrated a generally stronger trend, however.

Worland, Wyo. was steady to $2 higher on 1100 head, Sioux Falls called 1222 head $2 higher, and a roundup of Florida auctions found steady going on a total of 1593 head.

In Texas, Sulphur Springs was firm to $3 higher on 1271 head, Buffalo generally $1-3 higher Saturday on about 2000. San Antonio offered just shy of 1000 head Monday, a poor test on heifers but a steady to $4 higher trend on steers.

San Angelo's special feeder sale Monday reported $1-2 higher prices on light offerings of 1919 head. Details are elsewhere in this issue.

Oklahoma City receipts totaled 5500 head, the market steady on feeder weights but anywhere from $2 to $6 higher on calves. Best 300-400 pound steer calves brought $107-114; 400-450 pounds $102.75-112; 450-500 pounds $99-109; 500-550 pounds $96-102.50; 550-600 pounds $87-97.50; 600-700 pounds $82-89; 600-700 pound yearlings $85.25-91.50; 700-800 pounds $83-88.25, fleshy $76-81; and a few 800-900 pounds $76-80.