Direct cash cattle trade activity has been quiet. Bids have yet to surface and some early asking prices have been floated around $116 live in the South, while the North remains quiet. Showlists this week appear to be slightly higher in Texas, and lower in Kansas and Nebraska/Colorado. It’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until the latter half of the week.
Boxed beef is higher at midday on good demand for moderate offerings. Choice is $.65 higher at $240.63 and Select is $1.10 higher at $231.08. The Choice/Select spread is $9.55.
At the Callaway Livestock Center in Missouri, compared to two weeks ago, the best test was on steers 550 to 600 pounds and they were $3 to $7 higher. Steers 700 to 800 pounds were $7 to $10 higher with spots of $12 higher. Steers over 800 pounds sold with a higher undertone. Feeder heifers had few good comparisons but sold with a firm to higher undertone. The USDA says demand was good on a moderate offering.
