Direct cash cattle trade is off to a slow start.  Bids are non-existent and asking prices have started to surface around $140 to $142 live in the South, but not established in the North.  Look for significant trade volume to develop midweek or later, especially with the latest Cattle on Feed report coming out Friday. 

Boxed beef was higher at midday with good demand for solid offerings.  Choice is $.99 higher at $259.49 and Select is $1.01 higher at $253.51.  The Choice/Select spread is $5.98. 

At the Callaway Livestock Center in Missouri, steer calves 400 to 500 pounds sold with a higher underdone, steers 500 to 600 pounds were firm to $5 higher, steers 600 to 650 pounds were steady, and steers 650 to 800 pounds sold with a firm to higher undertone. 

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