Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were mostly lower ahead of widespread direct business and the USDA’s semi-annual Cattle Inventory report, which was out after the close. February live was down $.67 at $117.35 and April was $1.05 lower at $180.70. March feeders were $1.17 lower at $240.15 and April was down $.85 at 246.15.

Direct cash cattle trade was relatively quiet on Wednesday with bids and prices still not established in most areas, but a few producers have suggested asking prices of $178 to $180 in parts of Kansas.

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