A quiet start for direct cash cattle business.  A few early asking prices did surface are around $144 live in the South, while the North has remained mostly quiet.  Bids are few and far between.  Significant trade volume will be delayed until midweek or later. 

Boxed beef is mixed at midday with relatively light demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $.10 higher at $263.14 and Select is $1.18 lower at $241.57.  The Choice/Select spread is $21.57. 

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week feeder steers under 525 pounds were $5 to $12 higher with heavier weights steady to $3 higher. 

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