Direct cash cattle trade activity is off to a sluggish start following Tuesday’s light to moderate business.  Southern live deals were marked at mostly $120, which’s about $1 lower than last week’s weighted averages.  Northern dressed business was at mostly $191, generally steady with last week’s weighted averages basis in Nebraska.  Asking prices for cattle are around $121 plus live in the South and $192 plus dressed in the North. 

Boxed beef is mixed at midday on light to moderate demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $.46 lower at $329.46 and Select is $2.04 higher at $306.30.  The Choice/Select spread is $23.16. 

At the Interstate Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week feeder steers under 550 pounds were steady to $2 higher and steers over 550 pounds were $2 to $6 higher.  Feeder heifers were steady to $2 higher.  The USDA says demand was good and supply was moderate.  Receipts were up on the week and the year.  Feeder supply included 65 percent steers and 40 percent of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 553 to 589 pounds brought $155.50 to $174.50 and feeder steers 851 pounds brought $134.75.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 500 to 530 pounds brought $138.50 to $148.50 and feeder heifers 551 to 596 pounds brought $130 to $139.50. 

Cash hogs are lower at midday with fairly light negotiated purchases.  

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