In the fed cattle sector, cash trade was limited in the South at $1.72. Northern trade held steady for the week at $175. Fed cattle futures closed up $.07 to $.80 for the week across the front three months of trade.

Feeder and stocker calf prices were on the rise during last week's trade. The national average price for feeder calves settled at $227.90, up $1.51 from the previous week. However, trade was varied from $6 lower to $5 higher. Feeder cattle futures closed up $3.23 to $3.55 across the front three months of trade. The national average price for stocker calves closed $6.22 higher on the week, settling at $282.03. Trade again was varied from $3 lower to $6 higher.

Boxed beef cutouts closed the week higher. The Choice cutout closed at $289.26, up $12.10 for the week.  The Select cutout was up $12.32, closing at $271.85. This caused the Choice/Select spread to settle $.26. narrower at $17.41. The cutter cow cutout closed $6.06 higher at $211.30. Slaughter cow trade did vary from $2 lower to $4 higher.

Total red meat production for the week was estimated at 961.1 million lb., two percent lower than week ago and 15.4 percent lower from a year ago. Cumulative red meat production for year to date was 8.5 percent compared to the same point last year. Average hot carcass weights for the week held relatively steady, only down one pound from the week prior at 941 lb.