Sales confirmed on 18,400 slaughter steers and 20,400 slaughter heifers Wednesday. Sales confirmed for the week to date on 82,900 head including 33,400 head or about 40 percent previously contracted or formulated cattle. Sales FOB feedlot net weights after 4 percent shrink. Feeder steers over 700 lbs.s. Demand good for all classes.
Demand remains good for light numbers of feeder cattle.
Placements showed only 36 percent of the cattle placed in October weighed over 700 lbs.s. and with continued light runs of feeders this trend is expected to continue. Quality plain thru attractive. Packer demand very light due to upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Quality replacement cows sold noticeably higher as limited availability and high calf prices have raised the bar for these. Majority of cows returned to country for calving, grazing programs, or feedlots.