Direct cash cattle trade is off to another quiet start but it’s picking up in Kansas at $144, $1 higher than last week’s weighted average.  Some asking prices remain firm around $145 in the South, and $233-plus in the North.

Boxed beef cutouts are mixed with light to moderate box movement. Choice is $.58 higher at $247.64 and Select is $.47 lower at $218.75.  The Choice/Select spread is $28.89.

At the Hub City Livestock Auction in Aberdeen, South Dakota, compared to last week, best test on steers 850 to 950 pounds were $2 higher with an instance $6 higher on 900 pounds to 950 pounds, 951 to 1050 pounds steady to $1 lower with an instance $7 lower.

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