A light direct cash cattle trade is underway in parts of the South.  Deals in Kansas are reported at $107 live, that’s $3 higher than last week’s weighted averages.  Bids are at $168 dressed in the North.  Asking prices for cattle are at $107 to $109 live in the South and $175 dressed in the North.  Look for business to continue to develop over the balance of the week. 

Boxed beef is higher again at midday on good demand for light to moderate offerings.  Choice is $2.22 higher at $219.48 and Select is $3.02 higher at $204.96.  The Choice/Select spread is $14.52. 

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week steers under 700 pounds were steady and steers over 700 pounds and all heifers were steady to $2 higher.  The USDA says demand was moderate to good and supply was moderate.  Receipts were about steady on the week and up on the year.  Feeder supply includes 51 percent steers and 48 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 608 to 648 pounds brought $145 to $156 and feeder steers 763 to 784 pounds brought $139 to $147.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 554 to 593 pounds brought $137 to $146 and feeder heifers 653 to 697 pounds brought $131 to $142.50. 

Cash hogs are weak at midday with solid negotiated numbers. 

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