Compared to last week, yearling feeder cattle sold steady to $3/cwt. lower in a light test, while steer and heifer calves traded weak to $6/cwt. lower, say reporters for USDA's Ag Marketing Service (AMS). Plus, they point out this trend was primarily established before Thursday's sharp losses in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Feeder Cattle futures.

Direct fed-cattle prices were steady to $1 lower at $88-$89.50; dressed sales were $3 lower, from $137 to mostly $138.

"Nationwide, auction receipts are running lighter than last year and larger-scale producers continue to hold cattle while resisting country and video bids," explain the AMS folks. "Cattle sellers have yet to embrace a significantly lower feeder-cattle market, but tighter availability has yet to improve demand. However, buying interest continues to be fairly good for yearling offerings (albeit at lower price levels) while calves are finding narrow outlets, with the exception of lightweights weighing under 500 lbs."

The summary below reflects the week ended Nov. 3 for Medium and Large 1 -- 500- to 550-lb., 600- to 650-lb., and 700- to 750-lb. feeder heifers and steers (unless otherwise noted). The list is arranged in descending order by auction volume and represents sales reported in the weekly USDA National Feeder and Stocker Cattle Summary: