Cattle futures strengthened on Thursday, supported by stronger cash feeder cattle prices and thoughts that negotiated cash fed cattle prices could follow suit.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 84¢ higher, except for unchanged in two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.74 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle ranged from mostly inactive on light demand in Nebraska to mostly inactive on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $218-$223/cwt. in Nebraska and $218-$220/cwt. in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mainly $345.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.40 lower Thursday afternoon at $378.37/cwt. Select was 28¢ lower at $352.06.

Grain and Soybean futures pushed higher on Thursday, led by Soybeans and likely supported by some inflationary hedging, as traders prepared for Friday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Through late afternoon, Soybean futures were 20¢ to 23¢ higher, buoyed by new Chinese purchases. Corn futures were 5¢ higher. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 11¢ to 12¢ higher. 

Cattle futures mainly held or extended gains on Wednesday, in the face of another day of bearishness in outside markets.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 51¢ lower, except for an average of 12¢ higher in two contracts. They were an average of $3.46 higher Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.15 higher, except for an average of $1.00 lower in the back contract. They were an average of $4.85 higher on Wednesday.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was mostly inactive on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $218-$223/cwt. and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $218-$220. Dressed delivered prices were mostly steady at mainly $345.

Last week’s five-area direct FOB live fed steer price was 9¢ lower at $219.06. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was 33¢ lower at $345.42.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.20 higher Wednesday afternoon at $380.77/cwt. Select was $3.05 lower at $352.34.

Grain and Soybean futures were lower on Wednesday with positioning ahead of the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were 3¢ to 5¢ lower.

Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 2¢ to 12¢ lower. Soybean futures were 4¢ to 7¢ lower. 

Cattle futures closed mixed Friday on caution ahead of the three-day weekend.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 99¢ lower, except for an average of 11¢ higher in the back three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 60¢ higher, except for an average of 85¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 64¢ higher, from 7¢ higher toward the back to $1.22 higher in spot Oct. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.84 higher week to week on Friday.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was limited on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live sales at mostly $220/cwt.

Based on established trade last week, FOB live prices were steady to $4 lower in the North at $218/cwt. and dressed delivered prices were steady at $345. However, prices strengthened toward the end of the week, according to various reports and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association reported its members trading FOB live steers and heifers at $222.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 73¢ lower Friday afternoon at $376.17/cwt. Select was $5.15 higher at $355.87. Week to week on Friday, Choice was 6¢ lower and Select was $5.21 lower.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 526,000 head was 16,000 head fewer than the previous week but 32,000 head more than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 18.5 million head was 1.5 million head fewer (-7.5%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 16.5 billion pounds was 876.3 million pounds less (-5.1%).

Grain and Soybean futures were lower on Friday with likely profit taking and positioning ahead of the three-day weekend.

Corn futures were 2¢ to 4¢ lower through Dec ’27. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were mostly 13¢ to 15¢ lower.  Soybean futures were mostly 6¢ to 12¢ lower. 

Cattle futures finally bounced higher Thursday, supported by oversold conditions and some renewed strength in cash prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.32 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.50 higher.  

Negotiated cash fed cattle was light on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. So far this week, FOB live prices are $218/cwt. and dressed delivered prices are $345. There is no established trade in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.88 lower Thursday afternoon at $376.90/cwt. Select was $2.86 lower at $350.72.

Corn and Kansas City Wheat futures were lower on Thursday with likely profit taking and positioning ahead of the three-day weekend.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were 3¢ to 4¢ lower. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 11¢ to 22¢ lower. However, Soybean futures were 1¢ lower to 5¢ higher, supported by export sales. 

Cattle futures continued trying to carve a bottom Wednesday, with pressure including steady to lower cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.38 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 38¢ lower to an average of 67¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska to light on light to moderate demand in the western Corn Belt through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. So far this week, FOB live prices are steady to $4 lower at $218/cwt. Dressed delivered prices are mostly steady at mainly $345. There was no established trade in the Southern Plains last week.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 97¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $378.78/cwt. Select was $6.87 lower at $353.58.

Grain and Soybean futures were lower on Wednesday on likely profit taking.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower. Soybean futures were 8¢ to 11¢ lower. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 7¢ to 9¢ lower, except for 6¢ higher in spot Sep. 

Cattle futures were lower Tuesday amid struggling cash fed cattle prices and higher feed costs.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.14 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.42 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB live prices were $218-$222/cwt. and dressed delivered prices were mostly $345. There was no established trade in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.93 higher Tuesday afternoon at $379.75/cwt. Select was $1.96 higher at $360.45.

Grain and Soybean futures were higher on Tuesday, supported by yield concerns, buyer demand and likely inflation hedging.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were 6¢ to 8¢ higher. Soybean futures were 28¢ to 30¢ higher. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 5¢ to 16¢ higher. 

Cattle futures overcame more government intervention in the cattle business (see below) on Monday to eke out gains with oversold conditions.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 25¢ higher except for an average of $1.07 lower in the back two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB live prices were $218-$222/cwt., which was $4-$7 lower in Nebraska and $3-$7 lower in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $345, which was $10-$11 lower.

Last week’s weighted average five-area direct FOB live fed steer price was $5.76 lower at $219.25. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $10.12 lower at $345.42.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 41¢ lower Monday afternoon at $375.82/cwt. Select was $2.59 lower at $358.49.

Grain and Soybean closed futures were mixed on Monday.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were mostly fractionally higher to 2¢ higher. Soybean futures were narrowly mixed, from fractionally lower to 1¢ higher. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 4¢ to 8¢ lower with likely profit taking.  

Cattle futures were unable to build on recent gains Friday, bogged down by more political rhetoric.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 92¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.68 lower.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.88 lower, except for an average of 60¢ higher in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.54 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on light demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, FOB live prices were $4-$7 lower in the North at $218-$222/cwt., with the highest prices paid late in the week. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $345, which was $10-$11 lower. There was no established trade in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.13 lower Friday afternoon at $376.23/cwt. Select was $1.89 higher at $361.08. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $9.46 lower and. Select was 24¢ lower.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 542,000 head was 19,000 head more than the previous week. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 17.9 million head was 1.5 million head fewer (-7.9%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 16 billion pounds was 915.2 million pounds less (-5.4%).

Grain and Soybean closed expanded gains on Friday.

Corn futures were mostly 1¢ to 4¢ higher. Week to week on Friday, they were an average of 26’2¢ higher through the front six contracts. That’s an average of about 49¢ higher in those same two contracts over the past two weeks.

Soybean futures were mostly 15¢ to 19¢ higher.

Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 10¢ to 24¢ higher through Dec ‘27 on continued war premium.

Cattle futures continued higher Thursday, boosting hopes that the bottom had been etched.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.79 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.42 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. So far this week, FOB live prices are $218-$22o/cwt., which is $7-$8 lower than last week. Dressed delivered prices are mostly $345, which is $10-$11 lower.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.77 lower Thursday afternoon at $381.36/cwt. Select was $3.49 lower at $359.19.

Grain and Soybean were mixed on Thursday.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were 5¢ to 6¢ lower on likely profit taking and producer selling.

Soybean futures were 1¢ to 2¢ lower with likely profit taking.

Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 9¢ to 11¢ higher on continued war premium.

Cattle futures firmed and mostly gained Wednesday, supported by oversold conditions. 

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 46¢ higher, except for an average of 42¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.11 higher, except for an average of 94¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were mostly $22o/cwt., which was $2 higher than a day earlier, but $7-$8 lower than last week. Dressed delivered prices so far this week are mostly $345, which is $10-$11 lower.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.40 lower Wednesday afternoon at $385.13/cwt. Select was $6.30 lower at $362.68.

Grain and Soybean futures closed higher on Wednesday.

Toward the close and through the front four contracts, Corn futures were 10¢ to 13¢ higher through Dec ’27 on yield concerns.

Soybean futures were 20¢ to 23¢ higher through Mar ’28, helped along by more Chinese purchases.

Kansas City HRW Wheat were 21¢ to 38¢ higher through Dec ’27 with more premium, added for the Ukraine-Russia war and its impact on exports through the Black Sea.