Direct cash cattle trade is picking up across cattle country. There is a light live trade in the South at $118 to $119.  Dressed deals in Nebraska are at $191, most of which are marked for delayed delivery. There were just a handful of deals reported in the North on Tuesday at $190, $2 lower than the bulk of last week’s business.  Business could pick up as the day progresses. 

Boxed beef is higher at midday with good demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $1.40 higher at $292.39 and Select is $1.04 higher at $280.57.  The Choice/Select spread is $11.81. 

At the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week steer calves were $5 to $10 lower and heifer calves were $3 to $6 lower.  There were too few yearlings for an accurate test, however undertones were steady to weak.  The USDA says demand was moderate on a light to moderate supply.  Receipts were down on the week and the year.  Feeder supply included 45 percent steers and 42 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.   Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 505 to 534 pounds brought $155 to $167 and feeder steers 905 to 915 pounds brought $124 to $127.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 404 to 445 pounds brought $142 to $157 and feeder heifers 457 to 488 pounds brought $141 to $148. 

Cash hogs are mixed midday with moderate negotiated purchases. 

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