Direct cash cattle trade activity is off to a slow start.  Showlists this week were higher across all major feeding areas.  Bids and asking prices still haven’t surfaced.  Significant trade volume will likely be delayed until midweek or later. 

Boxed beef is sharply higher at midday on heavy demand for solid offerings.  Choice is $4.65 higher at $303.60 and Select is $5.72 higher at $292.90.  The Choice/Select spread is $10.70.   

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, feeder steers sold from $5 lower to $12 higher. 

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