Direct cash cattle trade is quiet to start the week.  Buyers and sellers are taking inventory.  Bids and asking prices have yet to surface, and it’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until midweek or later.  Deals last week were marked at mostly $137 live in the South, about $1 to $2 lower than the prior week’s weighted averages.  Northern dressed business was at mostly $232, roughly $2 below the previous week’s business. 

Boxed beef is higher at midday on strong demand for light offerings.  Choice is $1 higher at $268.89 and Select is $2.34 higher at $244.19.  The Choice/Select spread is $24.70. 

In South Dakota last week, feeder steers under 1000 pounds were $10 to $15 higher, and steers over 1000 pounds were steady. 

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