Another sluggish start to direct cash cattle trade activity following Wednesday’s very light, scattered trade. Bids have surfaced at $124 live in Nebraska. Asking prices are around $120 plus live in the South and $202 dressed in the North. Southern live deals this week have been at mostly $119 to $120 and Northern dressed deals mostly $197 to $198. All are about steady with last week’s business. Additional trade is expected to develop today and tomorrow.
Boxed beef was mixed at midday on light to moderate demand for light offerings. Choice is $2.45 higher at $275.79 and Select is $3.29 lower at $253.45. The Choice/Select spread is $22.34.
At the Huss Livestock Market in Nebraska, compared to two weeks ago steers sold $3 to $7 higher. Heifers, 7-weight sold $6 higher. The USDA says demand was good for yearlings and fall calves. Flesh varied from thin to fleshy and the bulk of the offering came off of short summer grass. Receipts were up from two weeks ago and the year. Feeder supply included 83% steers and 92% of the offering was over 600 pounds. Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 902 to 935 pounds brought $154 to $159 and feeder steers 972 to 976 pounds brought $146.75 to $149.50. Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 720 to 746 pounds brought $144 to $149.25.
Cash hogs are sharply lower at midday with moderate negotiated purchases.
