Direct cash cattle trade activity is at a standstill.  Bids have been slow to surface and asking prices are around $116 to $117 live in the South and still not fully established out of the North.  Extreme weather conditions continue to be a factor in this week’s sales and it’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until sometime Thursday or Friday. 

Boxed beef is higher to sharply higher at midday on good demand for light offerings.  Choice is $1.59 higher at $236.36 and Select is $3.55 higher at $225.58.  The Choice/Select spread is $10.78.

…