KO_LS850  
Oklahoma City, OK   Fri Feb 03, 2012    USDA-OK Dept of Ag Market News 

   National Slaughter Cattle Summary - Week Ending February 03, 2012

   Compared to last week:  Slaughter cattle steady to 1.00 lower 
with dressed sales in Nebraska 2.00 lower.  Packer demand moderate.
Packers efforts to improve beef prices by reducing kills remained
unsuccessful for the most part.  Live cattle futures still strong 
despite the bearish tone on the meat side making it difficult for 
packers to negotiate down to a much lower bid.  
   Boxed beef prices Friday morning averaged 180.63 down 1.04 from 
last Friday.  The Choice/Select spread is at 4.98.  Slaughter cattle
on a national basis for negotiated cash  trades through Friday afternoon
totaled about 42,500 head.  Last week's total head count was 71,932.

Midwest Direct Markets: 
Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 
   35-80 Percent Choice, 1200-1400 lbs  124.00
   Dressed Basis:  Steers and Heifers:  198.00

South Plains Direct Markets: 
Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 
   35-65 percent Choice, 1100-1400 lbs 123.00

Slaughter Cows and Bulls (Average Yielding Prices):
Slaughter cows and bulls mostly 2.00-5.00 higher.
USDA's Cutter cow carcass cut-out value Friday morning was 161.65 up
1.32 from last Friday.

Prices paid for average dressing:
           %Lean     Weight     Colorado      Oklahoma      Alabama  
Breakers   75-80%  1000-1825   81.50-85.00   83.00-87.00   82.00-85.00
Boners     80-85%  1000-1565      -----      84.00-85.50   80.00-84.00
Lean       85-90%  1000-1685   74.00-77.50   77.50-82.50   70.00-74.00
Bulls      88-92%  1200-2445   84.00-88.00  96.50-100.00   93.50-98.00

Source: USDA-Oklahoma Dept of Ag Market News, Oklahoma City, OK
        Tina Colby            Telephone 405-232-5425
        www.ams.usda.gov/lsmarketnews