Livestock

SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle estimate: 850. Last Friday: 942. Year Ago Friday: 533. Thursday actual: 718.

Compared to Thursday, not enough slaughter steers, heifers or Holsteins for an adequate market test. Slaughter cows sold steady. Slaughter bulls not tested.

Steers: Not tested.

Holsteins: Not tested.

Heifers: Not tested.

Cows:

Premium White 70-80 percent lean 58.00-62.00; Breaking 70-80 percent lean 55.00-58.00; Boning 80-85 percent lean 52.00-55.00; Lean 85-90 percent lean 48.00-52.00.

Bulls: Not tested.

For the week: Compared to last week, slaughter steers, heifers, and Holsteins sold 6.00 lower, with trade and demand light to moderate. Slaughter cows and bulls sold steady to firm. Trade active with good demand throughout the week, with the best demand noted on fleshy slaughter cows. Boneless beef trade is beginning to get a little softer as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, causing the slaughter market to be rather sluggish. Direct feedlot trading at mostly 98.00 live and 157.00-158.00 dressed. The boxed beef cutout value of a Choice 1-3 600-750 lb beef carcass on Thursday was 166.32, 1.27 lower than last week. The estimated Federally Inspected slaughter through the first four days is 483,000, compared with 466,000 last week, and 507,000 last year.

Hog estimate: 400. Last Friday: 451. Year Ago Friday: 435. Thursday actual: 438.

Barrows and Gilts: Compared to Thursday, steady. 47-50 percent lean 220-270 lbs. 34.00-34.50; 44-48 percent lean 270-290 lbs. 32.00-33.00; 43-46 percent lean 290-300 lbs. 30.00-31.00.

Sows: Steady.

U.S. 1-2: 300-500 lbs. 28.00.

U.S. 1-3: 500-600 lbs. 29.00-30.00; over 600 lbs. 31.00.

Boars: Steady. 270-300 lbs. 22.00; 300-700 lbs. 8.00.