Direct cash cattle trade activity is off to a typically quiet start to the week.  Bids and asking prices have yet to surface.  It’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until midweek or later.  Deals last week were marked at $181 to mostly $183 live in the South, steady with the prior week’s weighted averages.  Dressed business ranged from mostly $290 to $295, about $2 lower than the previous week’s weighted average basis. 

Boxed beef is higher at midday on solid demand for light offerings.  Choice is $1.39 higher at $306.67 and Select is $1.61 higher at $297.35.  The Choice/Select spread is $9.32. 

In Missouri last week, grazing weight calves, mostly under 700 pounds were $5 to $10 higher and heavier weight yearlings were steady to $5 higher. 

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