At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on profit-taking, watching direct business unfold.  February live cattle closed $1.37 lower at $167.22 and April lives closed $1.45 lower at $170.95.  January feeder cattle closed $1.87 lower at $217.37 and March feeders closed $1.75 lower at $217.85. 

There was another light round of direct cash cattle business on Wednesday.  Deals in the North were at $168 live and $267 dressed.  That’s about $3 below last week’s weighted averages and steady with Tuesday’s business. 

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