Plains Fed Cattle Lose Ground
Once Again In Sluggish Trading

Plains feedlots faced sluggish going after giving up ground last week in late rounds.

By midweek, Texas Panhandle yards were as much as $1 lower at mostly $69. Wednesday receipts came to 11,000 head, bringing the cash total to 20,000 head including Friday trades; captives added another 33,100.

Kansas moved 74,500 through Wednesday afternoon at mostly $69; captives accounted for 43,000 head or about 58 percent. Nebraska's count came to 55,500 for the period, live prices anywhere from $69.25 early to $68.50 late and dressed deals mostly $109 late after being as high as $111 early.

Midwest direct areas were steady to $1 lower at mostly $69 live, a few to $69.50, and $108-110 dressed after early sales at $111.

The Southwest was quiet aside from a few mostly Select steers selling into Mexico at $70. Slow trade in the Northwest was steady to weak at $110 dressed.

Stocker and feeder price trends were mixed, softness becoming apparent in some areas but trade remaining robust in others.

St. Joseph, Mo. found steady to $1 higher prices on 3000 head and a roundup of four Florida auctions reported a $1-3 higher market on 6136 head. La Junta, Colo. offered 5841 head and quoted steer calves under 400 pounds $3-5 higher, heavier steer calves steady to $2 lower, heifer calves under 400 pounds $2-3 higher and heavier calves steady; yearling steers were steady, similar heifers steady to $1 higher.

In Texas, Crockett sold 1424 head at prices firm to $3 higher on weights under 500 pounds, firm to $2 higher on heavier kinds. San Antonio was steady to as much as $6 higher on 1800 head over two days. Receipts at Amarillo came to 1668 head, steers under 600 pounds steady and similar heifers $1-2 higher, heavier weights untested.

San Angelo's final special feeder sale for the year was firm Monday on 1544 head.

Oklahoma City offered 10,400 head and called feeder weight steers steady, steer calves steady to $3 lower; feeder weight heifers were steady to $2 lower on limited numbers, heifer calves $1-3 lower. Best 350-400 pound steer calves earned $115-119.50; 400-500 pounds $100-110.50; 500-550 pounds $95-104; 550-600 pounds $89.50-98; 600-700 pounds $85-93; 650-700 pound yearlings were $89-93.50; 700-750 pounds $88.50-91.75; 750-800 pounds $85-91.25; a few 800-850 pounds $86.75-87; a few 850-900 pounds $77.50-84.50; and a few 900-950 pounds $76.50-77.50.