Direct cash cattle trade is slow at midday, but packer inquiry should start to improve as the day progresses. Asking prices are around $170 in the South, but not established in the North. Current estimates are that dressed prices will start out around $272-plus. Bids remain few and far between, and significant trade volume could be delayed until Thursday.
Boxed beef was higher at midday. Choice is $1.18 higher at $289.12 and Select is up $.77 at $278.72.
