At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher ahead of the week’s direct business, supported by higher boxed beef and the broader markets.  December live cattle closed $.05 higher at $107.87 and February live cattle closed $.47 higher at $110.77.  November feeder cattle closed $1.57 higher at $137.70 and January feeder closed $1.97 higher at $135.15. 

Direct cash cattle trade activity picked up Wednesday afternoon.  Live deals in the South ranged from $106 to $107 and dressed business in the North ranged from $160 to $164.  Both live and dressed deals are higher than the very light, scattered trade that took place last week.  Look for more business to develop on Thursday or Friday.   

At the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week steers and heifers sold $2 to $14 higher. 

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