Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle were higher, optimistic ahead of the start of this week’s widespread direct business. Feeders had additional support from the modestly lower move in corn. December live cattle was up $.07 at $183.62 and February was $.55 higher at $185.17. November feeders were $.87 higher at $238.57 and January was up $.82 at $238.02.

Direct cash cattle markets were quiet. Some light trade was reported this week at $181 to $185 on the live basis, most of that in the South, but not enough to establish a trend.

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