A few token bids of 110.00 live on the cattle have been reported by private sources in Kansas and Texas. Asking prices on a live basis are around 114.00 to 115.00, and 185.00 dressed. This week’s cattle offering is not tremendously larger than last week, the total looks all the more ample given smaller packer appetites due to the shorter slaughter schedule following Labor Day.

Choice boxed beef at midday is .35 lower at 185.85, and select is down .39 at 178.69.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Joplin Regional Stockyards on Monday totaled 4445 head. Compared to last week, steers weighing 400 to 700 pounds, and heifers 4 to 6 weights were 5.00 to 10.00 lower. Steer and heifer calves weighing less than 400 pounds steady to 4.00 lower. Yearling steers over 700 pounds and yearling heifers over 600 pounds 2.00 to 4.00 lower. Feeder steers, medium and large 1-2 weighing 500 to 600 pounds traded from 123.00 to 143.50. 5 to 6 weight heifers brought 113.00 to 129.50.

Barrows and Gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota and Eastern direct trade areas are not reported due to confidentiality. The West is 2.22 lower at 87.80 weighted average on a carcass basis. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is 1.00 to 5.00 lower from 85.00 to 90.00. Barrows and gilts at the terminals are mostly 1.00 to 2.00 lower from 58.00 to 67.00 live.

Given the way country prices have crashed this month, it’s quite possible that we will return after Labor Day to find finishing floors extremely current if not significantly oversold. Watch for the possibility of a drop in market weights this week thanks to the aggressive way nervous producers have been kicking barrows and gilts out the front door according to DTN.