Direct cash cattle trade activity has been non-existent in this holiday-shortened week. There was no reportable trade on Tuesday and it appears that packers and feedlots are in a standoff. No bids have surfaced and asking prices have been scarce. It is possible business could hold out until sometime Thursday or Friday.
Boxed beef is sharply higher at midday on strong demand for moderate offerings. Choice is $3.58 higher at $268.24 and Select is $2.05 higher at $241.92. The Choice/Select spread is $26.32.
At the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week lightly tested steer and heifer calves were steady to $3 higher, while well-tested yearling steers were $3 to $6 higher.
