Direct cash cattle trade remains at a standstill.  While packer inquiry should improve as the day progresses, it is possible significant trade volume holds out until sometime on Friday.  Asking prices are at $161 to $162 live in the South and $254-plus in the North.  Bids remain elusive. 

Boxed beef is higher at midday on solid demand for light offerings.  Choice is $2.51 higher at $269.71 and Select is $.90 higher at $254.06.  The Choice/Select spread is $15.65. 

At the Hub City Livestock Market in South Dakota, steers 550 to 600 pounds were $5 to $8 higher, steers 601 to 700 pounds were mostly steady, steers 701 to 850 pounds were $2 to $6 higher. 

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