Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet.  Bids haven’t surfaced.  Asking prices in the North have yet to be established, but in the South asking prices have been floated at $188-plus live.  Packer inquiry could start to pick up as the day progresses – but it would be no surprise to see any significant amount of business hold out until sometime Thursday or Friday. 

Boxed beef is lower at midday with light demand for solid offerings.  Choice is $1.65 lower at $302.51 and Select is $1.05 lower at $297.94.  The Choice/Select spread is $4.57.

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