Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota direct trade are .14 higher, the West is .02 higher with both at 84.40 on a carcass basis, the East is up .57 at 81.51. The Missouri direct base carcass meat price is 1.00 higher at 77.00. Pork producers clearly responded to higher country bids on Tuesday, with the largest country run in weeks. Between dressed and live negotiated sales, Iowa counted as many as 19,685 head. Short-bought packers may not be so short at midweek.

Cattle country is fairly quiet on Wednesday, following moderate to active trade in all three of the major feeding states on Tuesday. Live Southern deals were marked at 98.00 to 98.50., and Northern dressed sales were mostly 158.00. There may be more trade today in the North, but sources are telling DTN that business could be done for the week in the South. Asking prices for the cattle left on the show lists are around 99.00 to 110.00 in the South and 163.00 to 165.00 North. Choice boxed beef at midday is .68 lower at 169.59, and select is .01 lower at 167.35.

Cattle receipts at the Philip Livestock Auction, Philip, SD totaled 2249 head on Tuesday. Compared to two weeks ago, feeder steers sold mostly 2.00 to 6.00 higher with feeder heifers mostly 4.00 to 7.00 higher.  Slaughter cattle sold mostly steady to 1.00 lower. Buyer attendance was good with good demand. Feeder steers medium and large 1 weighing 582 pounds traded at 132.96, value added feeder heifers weighing 581 pound brought 128.25.