Showlists in Kansas and Texas are smaller, with Kansas down sharply. Nebraska lists are about unchanged from last week. Asking prices are firm at $89.00 live both north and south, and $142 dressed in the north. There are no bids yet. Another winter storm is expected to move across the Texas Panhandle bringing the possibility of more moisture. Feedlots are already a mess and cattle have been set back. This likely will keep asking prices firm despite packer margins that are now into the red. Packers cut kills on Monday in response to the poor margins. Slaughter totaled only 117 thsd head, down 8 thsd head from last Monday.

The choice cutout was up $0.75 at $138.65 last night with the select up $0.98 at $136.44. Volume was moderate. Virtually all of the primals gained in value last night as retail buyers stepped into the market more aggressively ahead of the next winter storm scheduled to hit the East Coast mid week. We heard reports of very good clearance ahead of the last storm and retailers are working to replenish supplies.

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Cash hog market calls are mostly steady this morning though there is some firmness here and there due to weather condition. The Western Corn Belt is battling high winds and drifting snow behind this latest storm system. The Eastern Corn Belt is experiencing the heavy snow; the storm seems to be gaining intensity as it moved east. We would not be surprised to see slaughter reduced today.

The USDA pork cutout lost $0.30 last night. Butts held steady, but loins lost a little on the weighted averages. Hams also were lower, with the heavy hams losing about 3 cents on the weighted average. Bellies were unquoted but are said to be holding steady.