Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet as cattle country appears to be in a standoff.  Asking prices are around $125 plus live in the South and $205 plus dressed in the North.  Look for business to pick up over the balance of the week.  Today’s special Fed Cattle Exchange had an offering of 3,731, of which 1,387 head sold from $122 to $123. 

Boxed beef was sharply higher at midday on good demand for light offerings.  Choice is $1.23 higher at $348.12 and Select is $3.78 higher at $319.47.  The Choice/Select spread is $28.65. 

At the Hub City Livestock Auction in South Dakota, there wasn’t an accurate trend available there were higher undertones noted on steers.  The best test was on heifers 1000 to 1050 pounds, and they were $2 to $5 higher.  The USDA says there was good to very good demand for the day’s offering of attractive yearlings, both off grass and out of feed yards.   Flesh varied with most yearlings off grass in light to moderate with some moderate plus flesh at times.  There were quite a few strings and many loads to choose from as well as many packages of tested open heifers.  The market was active, and many buyers were talking all loads when offered.  All eyes continue to watch the drought conditions through the areas.  Receipts were up slightly on the week and up on the year.  Feeder supply included 36% steers and 99% of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 915 to 948 pounds brought $154.75 to $165 and feeder steers 991 to 996 pounds brought $151.25.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 875 to 895 pounds brought $145.25 to $153.25 and feeder heifers 950 to 990 pounds brought $137.75 to $150. 

Cash hogs are lower at midday. 

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