Another quiet start for direct cash cattle business.  Packer inquiry has been limited, but that will likely improve as the day progresses.  Bids haven’t surfaced.  Asking prices are around $157 live in the South, but still haven’t been established in the North.  If this week’s business follows the trend of recent weeks, significant trade volume will likely take place Thursday or Friday. 

Boxed beef is lower at midday on light demand for light offerings.  Choice is $1.42 lower at $268.22 and Select is $1.87 lower at $250.52.  The Choice/Select spread is $17.70. 

At the Philip Livestock Auction in South Dakota, compared to two weeks ago, feeder steers under 600 pounds were steady and steers 600 to 750 pounds were steady to $2 higher.   

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