Direct cash cattle trade is light with some taking place in parts of Nebraska this morning at $288, fully steady with Wednesday’s decline, but $2 lower than the prior week’s weighted average.  Some asking prices remain firm around $176 to  $177 in the South, and $290-plus in the North.

Boxed beef is mixed with Choice $1.52 higher and Select $2.94 sharply lower.  The Choice/Select spread is $18.92.

At the Hub City Livestock Auction in Aberdeen, South Dakota, compared to last week, steers 650 to 699 pounds $6 to $8 higher, 700 to 749 pounds and 800 to 849 pounds $3 higher, 750 to 799 and 850 to 949 pounds mostly steady.  Heifers 650 to 849 pounds mostly steady.  The USDA says demand was very good for another large offering.  Cattle, which can go to grass, saw excellent demand with turn out time fast approaching with adequate moisture.  Many strings, loads and packages of both home raised and backgrounded cattle to choose from in varied flesh condition, from light to some heavy flesh.  Quality was less attractive than the previous week.  Receipts were up on the week and year.  Sixty-five percent of the supply were steers and 92 percent was over 600 pounds.  Medium and Large 1 Feeder steers 814 to 839 pounds brought $200 to $218.50 and feeder steers 858 to 898 pounds brought $191 to $206.75.  Medium and Large 1 Feeder heifers 708 to 748 pounds brought $198 to $213 and feeder heifers 851 to 875 pounds brought $183 to $189.

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