Direct cash cattle trade activity is at a standstill.  Bids have surfaced at $112 live in Texas and $175 dressed in Nebraska, while the rest of cattle country has remained quiet.  Asking prices are around $114 plus live in the South and $182 to $185 dressed in the North.  Look for packer inquiry to improve as the day progresses. 

Boxed beef is higher to sharply higher at midday on good demand for light offerings.  Choice is $.98 higher at $230.64 and Select is $2.39 higher at $221.38.  The Choice/Select spread is $9.26. 

At the Hub City Livestock Auction in South Dakota, compared to last week steers 500 to 900 pounds were $2 to $4 higher with instances of $9 higher on 550 to 600 pounds and 650 to 700 pounds steers.  Heifers 500 to 800 pounds were $1 to $3 higher, except 700 to 750 pounds were not well tested for a decent comparison.  The USDA says demand was good to very good for the large offering of packages and loads.  The offering featured many light fleshed, light weight cattle, with quite a few load lots available – all of which were met with excellent demand.  Flesh was light to moderate plus and quality ranged from average to attractive, similar to last week.  The market was active.  Receipts were up on the week and the year.  Feeder supply included 62 percent steers and 74 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 653 to 698 pounds brought $147 to $160 and feeder steers 852 to 897 pounds brought $132 to $136.25.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 600 to 648 pounds brought $139.50 to $152.25 and feeder heifers 659 to 688 pounds brought $130.50 to $149.    

Cash hogs are firm at midday with solid negotiated numbers. 

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