Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle were lower with boxed beef down at midday, getting ready for the week’s direct business. February live was down $.42 at $158.42 and April was $.80 lower at $162.22. March feeders were $2.90 lower at $183.25 and April was down $2.10 at $187.95.

Direct cash cattle markets were quiet. Asking prices are at $158 to $160 on the live basis in the south, not established yet in the north.

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