Direct cash cattle trade activity is improving.  A few bids have surfaced at $178 live in the South and $295 dressed in the North.  Asking prices are currently being kept under wraps.  Look for packer inquiry to improve as the day progresses and significant trade volume to take place in the latter half of the week.   

Boxed beef is mixed at midday with light to moderate demand for light offerings.  Choice is $.72 higher at $338.71 and Select is $1.15 lower at $308.33.  The Choice/Select spread is $30.38. 

At the Interstate Regional Stockyards in Missouri, feeder steers were nearly steady. 

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