High Plains weighted average direct slaughter cattle sales for the week ending Dec. 18, totaled 252,876 head, compared to 179,348 head last week and 225,527 head last year, according to the USDA Market News Service, St. Joseph, Mo.

The report was based on sales in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa and Minnesota feedlots.

Feeder steers: Live FOB basis, over 80% Choice, 1,083 head, 1,200 to 1,455 lbs., 90.00 to 95.00 (93.65); 65 to 80% Choice, 4,946 head, 1,225 to 1,450 lbs., 91.00 to 95.00 (94.10); 35 to 65% Choice, 60,972 head, 1,075 to 1,480 lbs., 87.00 to 95.50 (94.45); 0 to 35% Choice, 13,286 head, 1,125 to 1,450 lbs., 92.00 to 95.50 (94.56). Dressed delivered basis, over 80% Choice, 2,189 head, 756 to 913 lbs., 150.00 to 153.00 (151.87); 65 to 80% Choice, 19,892 head, 744 to 913 lbs., 146.00 to 155.00 (151.47); 35 to 65% Choice, 25,828 head, 682 to 926 lbs., 148.00 to 154.00 (151.91); 0 to 35% Choice, 422 head, 666 to 915 lbs., 151.00 to 152.50 (151.58). Live delivered basis, over 80% Choice, 904 head, 1,225 to 1,425 lbs., 93.00 to 95.75 (94.61); 65 to 80% Choice, 1,474 head, 1,225 to 1,400 lbs., 91.00 to 96.75 (95.43); 35 to 65% Choice, 580 head, 1,135 to 1,350 lbs., 92.00 to 95.00 (93.95). Dressed FOB basis, 65 to 80% Choice, 74 head, 868 lbs., 152.00.

Feeder heifers: Live FOB basis, over 80% Choice, 701 head, 1,150 to 1,425 lbs., 93.00 to 95.00 (93.70); 65 to 80% Choice, 5,574 head, 1,065 to 1,425 lbs., 91.00 to 95.00 (94.57); 35 to 65% Choice, 42,127 head, 1,026 to 1,350 lbs., 87.00 to 95.50 (94.49); 0 to 35% Choice, 3,185 head, 1,075 to 1,300 lbs., 93.00 to 95.00 (94.47). Dressed delivered basis, over 80% Choice, 2,598 head, 677 to 829 lbs., 150.00 to 153.00 (151.60); 65 to 80% Choice, 10,742 head, 671 to 851 lbs., 148.00 to 155.00 (151.76); 35 to 65% Choice, 27,014 head, 676 to 866 lbs., 148.00 to 153.00 (151.60); 0 to 35% Choice, 367 head, 702 to 766 lbs., 152.00. Live delivered basis, over 80% Choice, 512 head, 1,150 to 1,275 lbs., 91.50 to 96.00 (94.22); 65 to 80% Choice, 1,494 head, 1,150 to 1,400 lbs., 93.00 to 96.00 (93.99); 35 to 65% Choice, 216 head, 1,150 to 1,175 lbs., 94.00 to 95.00 (94.58); 0 to 35% Choice, 31 head, 1,100 lbs., 93.00.