The main item of business in cattle country on Monday is the distribution of the new showlists. Last week’s trade was very light with live deals in Texas marked at 122.00, 2.00 lower than the previous week. Most dresse4d sales in the North were 2.00 to 3.00 lower from 197.00 to 198.00. No significant trade was picked up in Kansas. The assumption can be made that packers are starting out the week extremely close to the knife.

Boxed beef cutout values are higher in the morning report with the choice beef up 1.52 at 203.09, and the select .35 higher at 183.72.

Feeder cattle receipts at the Ft. Pierre, South Dakota Livestock Auction totaled 10,563 head last week. Compared to two weeks ago feeder steers trended 3.00 to 5.00 higher with weights under 550 pounds 6.00 higher. Heifers were a 1.00 to 6.00 higher. There was very good demand for several very long strings of feeders and replacement heifers. 981 feeder steers averaging 778 pounds brought 145.52 per hundredweight. 344 heifers weighing 739 traded at 134.02.

 Barrows and gilts in the Iowa/Minnesota, Western and Eastern direct trade areas are not reported due to confidentiality. Nationally the market is 1.43 higher on a carcass basis with a weighted average of 96.43. Missouri direct base carcass meat price is 2.00 to 3.00 higher from 88.00 to 93.00. Terminal hogs are steady to 1.00 higher from 61.00 to 66.00 on a live basis.

The pork cutout value is up .86 at 96.96 FOB plant on a negotiated basis according to mandatory reporting. Only the ribs are lower and the loins are sharply higher.

The pork carcass value soared higher on Friday, especially supported by stronger demand for processing cuts, the belly primal remained on fire, up $4.01. Setting another new high for the price series, the pork cut-out seems to be benefiting from buyers turning away from expensive beef.