A quiet start for direct cash cattle trade activity again today.  Bids are few and far between, but there are some asking prices being floated around $100 live in the South and $162 dressed in the North.  If we see the recent trend continue, look for at least a light business to develop at some point today. 

Boxed beef is mixed at midday on light to moderate demand

for light to moderate offerings.  Choice

is $.83 lower at $200.91 and Select is $.67 higher at $192.26.  The Choice/Select spread is $8.64. 

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to

last week steer and heifer claves and yearlings were $2 to $5 higher.  The USDA says demand was good and supply was

moderate.  Receipts were down on the

week, but up on the year.  Feeder supply included

56 percent steers and 62 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 602 to 648

pounds brought $145 to $149 and feeder steers 758 to 784 pounds brought $133 to

$148.75.  Medium and Large 1 feeder

heifers 556 to 599 pounds brought $132 to $145 and feeder heifers 606 to 646 pounds

brought $129 to $141. 

Cash hogs are steady to weak at midday with solid negotiated numbers. 

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