Direct cash cattle trade activity is off to a slow start again today.  Bids have yet to surface.  Asking prices are around $140 to $142 live in the South, while the North has not been established.  It’s likely the bulk of the week’s business will be delayed until midweek or later. 

Boxed beef was lower at midday with light demand for solid offerings.  Choice is $1.75 lower at $261.47 and Select is $2.79 lower at $250.85.  The Choice/Select spread is $10.62. 

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week, feeder steers were steady to $3 higher. 

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