Direct cash cattle markets are quiet. Asking prices are at $158 on the live basis in the south, not established yet in the north. Bids remain hard to come by, but packer inquiry should start to improve over the next couple of days. This week’s show list is mixed when compared to last week. The USDA’s Cattle Inventory report was close to expectations, with the inventory down 3%, and the numbers point to at least some further degree of contraction.
