Direct cash cattle trade is off to another quiet start for Tuesday.  There have been a few early asking prices starting around $145 in the South, but have yet to be established in the North. Trade volume should pick up over the balance of the week.

Boxed beef is higher at midday.  Choice is up $2.88 at $248.82 and Select is $.15 higher at $221.46. The Choice/Select spread is $27.36.

At the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Missouri, compared to last week, feeder steers traded steady to $4 higher.

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