Direct cash cattle trade activity is quiet following another active day of business on Thursday. Deals ranged from $118 to $120 live and $196 to $202 dressed. Those were about steady with the week’s previous business. It’s likely the bulk of the week’s trade has wrapped up, but there could be some cleanup business develop before the end of the day.
Boxed beef was sharply lower at midday on light demand for light offerings. Choice is $2.41 lower at $279.56 and Select is $1.55 lower at $258.51. The Choice/Select spread is $21.05.
At the Mitchell Livestock Auction in South Dakota, compared to two weeks ago there was a higher undertone noted on steers up to 800 pounds, steers 800 to 850 pounds were $4 higher, steers 850 to 900 pounds were $7 higher, steers 950 to 1050 pounds were $2 higher. Feeder heifers 600 to 650 pounds were $6 higher, heifers 700 to 950 pounds were $1 to $3 higher, and heifers 1000 to 1050 pounds were $4 higher. The USDA says demand was good with many large lots in the day’s offering. Receipts were up from two weeks ago and on the year. Feeder supply included 46% steers and 93% of the offering was over 600 pounds. Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 862 to 892 pounds brought $141 to $153.35 and feeder steers 957 to 933 pounds brought $132.25 to $147.35. Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 851 to 898 pounds brought $132.25 to $139.10 and feeder heifers 910 to 945 pounds brought $130.50 to $139.10.
Cash hogs are sharply lower at midday with fairly light negotiated purchases.
