Cattle feeders in the South were able to keep the market mostly steady to higher for the week. Most cash trades were $95-$96 with producers finding themselves in a position to pass on lower bids for front end cattle.
The North held onto their stronger market over the South. Cash cattle traded up to $100 in the North and dressed cattle traded up to $159. Producers in the North have the position to fight the market and force packers to pay higher prices.
Many feeders will have lower numbers of harvest-ready cattle coming on the show list the rest of July. With show lists closer to current and with fewer total head new to the lists each week, feeders could find a better cash offer by late summer. For all to align, and a push toward a more positive cash trade, packers will need to maintain their harvest at six days a week.
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