Direct cash cattle trade activity is picking up. Bids have surfaced at $138 to $140 live in the South and $222 dressed. Asking prices are at $142 live in the South and $224 dressed in the North. Packer inquiry is expected to improve as the day progresses. Today’s Fed Cattle Exchange had an offering of 1,352 head and none sold as they did not meet the reserve prices of $140 to $142.
Boxed beef is mixed at midday on light to moderate demand for light offerings. Choice is $.60 higher at $258.50 and Select is $.68 lower at $248.16. The Choice/Select spread is $10.34.
At the Ozarks Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week steer calves under 650 pounds were steady to $3 higher and heavier weight steers were $3 to $6 higher.
