Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet again to start the day.  Bids and asking prices have yet to surface.  Showlists this week are higher in Kansas, somewhat higher in Texas, but lower in Nebraska/Colorado.  It’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until midweek or later.

Boxed beef is higher at midday on good demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $2.28 higher at $233.23 and Select is $2.71 higher at $225.76.  The Choice/Select spread is $7.47. 

At the close, at the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week, feeder steers under 600 pounds were steady and steers over 600 pounds were $2 to $5 higher.  Feeder heifers were up to $4 higher.  Receipts were up on the week and the year.  Feeder supply included 56 percent steers and 44 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 500 to 548 pounds brought $161 to $183 and feeder steers 605 to 644 pounds brought $144 to $166.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 501 to 547 pounds brought $137 to $154 and feeder heifers 603 to 648 pounds brought $126 to $138. 

Cash hogs are sharply higher at midday with moderate negotiated purchases. 

…