Direct cash cattle trade activity is improving. Bids have surfaced in Nebraska at $126 to $126.50 live. Asking prices are around $124 plus live in the South, while not fully established in the North. Showlists this week were higher across all major feeding areas. Business is expected to start developing today or tomorrow.
Boxed beef was mixed at midday on light to moderate demand for light offerings. Choice is $3.84 lower at $317.36 and Select is $1.25 higher at $282.70. The Choice/Select spread is $34.66.
At the Callaway Livestock Center in Missouri, compared to last week, steer calves 400 to 500 pounds were steady to firm on a light test, with 500 to 550 pounds and 600 to 700 pounds steers were $3 to $4 higher, steers 550 to 600 pounds were $5 to $7 higher, and 4 pot-loads of big yearling steers 880 to 905 pounds were $4 to $8. Feeder heifers 450 to 600 pounds were firm to $4 higher and 600-to-700-pound heifers were $2 to $5 higher. The USDA says demand was good with supply moderate with the best demand on the good quality 5 weight steers and heavy-weight yearling steers over 800 pounds all of which sold on a very active market. Receipts were up on the week and down on the year. Feeder supply included 64% steers and 56% of the offering was over 600 pounds. Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 603 to 645 pounds brought $160 to $168.50 and feeder steers 901 to 905 pounds brought $140.50 to $142.75. Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 503 to 544 pounds brought $151.50 to $157 and feeder heifers 650 to 681 pounds brought $140 to $150.
Cash hogs are higher at midday with moderate negotiated purchases.
