Direct cash cattle trade activity remains quiet.  Bids are elusive.  Some early asking prices have been reported in the South at $187 live, while the North remains quiet.  While packer inquiry could improve as the day progresses, it’s very likely that significant trade volume is going to hold out until midweek or later. 

Boxed beef is mixed at midday with light to moderate demand for moderate offerings.  Choice is $.85 lower at $309.74 and Select is $.52 higher at $300.12.  The Choice/Select spread is $9.62. 

At the Interstate Regional Stockyards in Missouri, feeder steers under 700 pounds were $5 to $15 higher.  Steers over 700 pounds were steady.  Feeder heifers under 400 pounds were unevenly steady, heifers 400 to 600 pounds were $5 to $15 higher.  Heifers over 600 pounds were steady to $3 lower.  The USDA says demand was good to very good and supply was moderate.  Receipts were down slightly on the week and up on the year.  Feeder supply included 57% steers and 33% of the offering was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 500 to 545 pounds brought $320 to $352 and feeder steers 600 to 648 pounds brought $276 to $312.50.  Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 500 to 539 pounds brought $292 to $304 and feeder heifers 650 to 691 pounds brought $230 to $247.

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