Direct cash cattle trade activity is slow to develop this week.  Bids have yet to be seen and asking prices are being kept under wraps.  While some light, scattered business could take place today or tomorrow, if this week is anything like recent weeks it will be late Friday before any significant trade volume develops. 

Boxed beef is higher at midday on solid demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $1.52 higher at $303.91 and Select is $1.82 higher at $277.98.  The Choice/Select spread is $25.93. 

At the Kingsville Livestock Auction in Missouri, steers and heifers were steady to $5 higher. 

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