Direct cash cattle trade activity is off to a slow start, but packer inquiry is expected to pick up. A few bids have surfaced in Kansas at $119 to $120 live, but the North remains quiet. Asking prices have started around $122 live in the South, but nothing out of the North. Some trade could pick up today, but it’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until midweek or later.
Boxed beef was mixed at midday on light to moderate demand for solid offerings. Choice is $1.79 lower at $273.21 and Select is $.81 higher at $259.58. The Choice/Select spread is $13.63.
At the Callaway Livestock Center in Missouri, compared to two weeks ago steer calves under 550 pounds were fully steady to firm, steers 550 to 700 pounds were $5 to $10 higher, steers over 700 pounds had a firm to higher undertone.
