It’s another quiet start for direct cash cattle business.  Bids have yet to surface.  Asking prices have been floated in the South at $172 live, but haven’t been established out of the North.  Significant trade volume will likely be delayed until midweek or later. 

Boxed beef is lower at midday on light demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $1.81 lower at $300.17 and Select is $.04 lower at $284.67.  The Choice/Select spread was $15.50. 

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, feeder steers were $3 to $6 higher. 

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