Direct cash cattle trade is relatively quiet through midday.  A few bids have been reported in parts in Nebraska at $145 live.  The rest of cattle country is quiet.  Asking prices are starting to surface at $139 to $140 live in the South, while nothing has surfaced yet out of the North.  Look for significant trade volume to develop midweek or later. 

Boxed beef is higher at midday on solid demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $.78 higher at $268.92 and Select is $.96 higher at $243.96.  The Choice/Select spread is $24.96. 

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to two weeks ago, feeder steers were $2 to $6 higher with feeder heifers were $2 to $6 higher. 

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