Cattle futures continued higher Friday on positive fundamentals and the week’s higher cash fed cattle prices.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.01 higher (95¢ to $5.70 higher).

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average $7.80 higher ($6.50 higher to $11.57 higher in spot Dec). That’s an average of $12.02 higher in the last two weeks.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.83 higher on Friday ($1.92 to $3.62 higher). Week to week on Friday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $15.94 higher. That’s an average of $26.86 higher over the past two weeks.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate to good demand in Nebraska through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $5 higher than earlier in the week at $225/cwt.

Trade in the western Corn Belt was limited on moderate demand. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades at $220-$222.

For the week, FOB live prices were $10-$15 higher in Nebraska at $220-$225 and $10-$12 higher in the western Corn Belt at $220. Dressed delivered prices were $10-$15 higher in Nebraska at $340-$345 and $12-$15 higher in the western Corn Belt at $340-$345.

There was no reported established weekly trade  in the Southern Plains. The previous week, FOB live prices were $215-$220 in the Texas Panhandle and mainly $220 in Kansas.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.56 lower Friday afternoon at $361.20/cwt. Select was $2.93 lower at $347.39.

Week to week on Friday, Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.62 lower and Select was $3.66 lower.

Estimated total cattle slaughter for the week of 600,000 head was 102,000 head more than the prior holiday-shortened week but 14,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 27.3 million head was 2.1 million head fewer (-7%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 23.9 billion pounds was 1.1 billion pounds less (-4.3%).

Turning to row crops, Grain and Soybean futures were mixed on Friday.

Soybean futures closed 9¢ to 14¢ lower on increasing confusion about the U.S. trade deal with China.

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ higher through Sep ‘26, and then fractionally mixed with spillover pressure from Soybeans.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed unchanged to 2¢ lower, except for 6¢ lower in spot Dec.

Cattle futures eased were higher once again Thursday, buoyed by stronger cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.43 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.60 higher, except for 40¢ lower in the back contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate to good demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices were $220/cwt. and dressed delivered prices were $340. That was $10 higher in Nebraska and $10-$12 higher in the western Corn Belt.

Elsewhere, trade was inactive on light demand.

Last week, FOB live prices were $215-$220 in the Texas Panhandle and mainly $220 in Kansas.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.09 lower Thursday afternoon at $362.72/cwt. Select was $2.80 lower at $350.32.

Grain and Soybean futures were higher on Thursday.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts,

Corn futures were 2¢ to 5¢ higher, helped by ethanol production.

KC HRW Wheat futures were 4¢ to 8¢ higher, as traders added more risk premium for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Soybean futures were 2¢ to 4¢ higher.

Cattle futures eased higher Wednesday amid chatter that cash fed cattle prices could improve this week.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 91¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.17 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $215-$220/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, mainly $220 in Kansas, mostly $210 in Nebraska and mainly $208-$210 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $330 in Nebraska and $328-$330 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 91¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $363.81/cwt. Select was $2.34 higher at $353.12.

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

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were mostly 6¢ to 7¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 3¢ lower. Soybean futures were 8¢ to 10¢ lower.

Cattle futures surged higher Tuesday with little apparent cause other than oversold conditions and perhaps easing headline pressure, at least for the day.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.75 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.41 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $215-$220/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, mainly $220 in Kansas, mostly $210 in Nebraska and mainly $208-$210 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $330 in Nebraska and $328-$330 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.17 lower Tuesday afternoon at $364.72/cwt. Select was $7.10 lower at $350.78.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed on Tuesday.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were 3¢ to 5¢ higher, helped along by strong demand.

KC HRW Wheat futures were 6¢ higher with traders likely adding some geopolitical risk.

Soybean futures were 3¢ to 4¢ lower as traders await confirmation of China making good on its deal to purchase more.

Cattle futures tried to hold recent gains Monday but they were mostly lower as traders began the new week and month.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.21 lower (15¢ lower to $2.07 lower). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.68 lower, except for an average of 58¢ higher in three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $4-$9 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $215-$220/cwt., mostly $2-$4 lower in Kansas at mainly $220, mostly $8 lower in Nebraska at mainly $210 and $7-$8 lower in the western Corn Belt at mostly $208-$210. Dressed delivered prices were $10-$15 lower in Nebraska at $330 and $12-$17 lower in the western Corn Belt at $328-$330.

The five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price last week was $5.88 lower at $211.52. The five-area direct weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $13.98 lower at $329.38.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.07 higher Monday afternoon at $368.89/cwt. Select was $6.83 higher at $357.88.

Corn and Soybean futures were lower Monday on likely profit taking.

 Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were 2¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were fractionally lower to 6¢ lower. Soybean futures were 8¢ to 10¢ lower.

Cattle futures extended gains in the holiday-shortened trading session on Friday, supported by stronger cash fed cattle prices at the end of the week and more confidence in the ability of other Nebraska packers to pick up the slack from the plant closure in Lexington (see below). Apparently, some traders also were heartened by the U.S. Agriculture Secretary’s comments earlier in the week suggesting the southern border will reopen on a staggered basis to Mexican cattle imports when it does reopen.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $5.15 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $8.59 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate to good demand in the Texas Panhandle through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $220/cwt., which was $5 higher than earlier in the week but $4 lower than a week earlier.

Trade in Kansas was moderate on good demand. FOB live prices were mostly $2-$4 lower at mainly $220.

In the western Corn Belt, trade was limited on moderate demand. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live sales at $215. For the week, FOB live prices were $7-$8 lower at $208-$210. Dressed delivered prices were $12-$17 lower at $328-$330.

Trade in Nebraska was inactive on light to moderate demand. For the week, FOB live prices were mostly $8 lower at mainly $210. Dressed delivered prices were $10-$15 lower at $330.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.46 lower Friday afternoon at $366.82/cwt. Select was $4.46 lower at $351.05.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 501,000 head was 84,000 head fewer than the previous week and 32,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 26.7 million head was 2 million head fewer (-7.1%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 23.3 billion pounds was 1.1 billion pounds less (-4.4%).

Corn and Soybean futures continued higher Friday, supported by positive demand, including Chinese soybean purchases.

Corn futures closed 2¢ to 3¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 8¢ higher through May ‘27. KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ lower.

Cattle futures climbed higher Wednesday, suggesting a bottom may have been established.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.63 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.06 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on moderate demand in the North to inactive on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, FOB live prices are $9 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $215/cwt., mostly $8 lower in Nebraska at mainly $210 and $7-$8 lower in the western Corn Belt at $208-$210. Dressed delivered prices are $10-$15 lower in Nebraska at $330 and $12-$17 lower in the western Corn Belt at $328-$330.

FOB live prices in Kansas last week were $222-$224.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.81 lower Wednesday afternoon at $368.28/cwt. Select was 42¢ lower at $355.51.

Grain and Soybean futures continued higher Wednesday, supported by an apparent slowing in farmer selling.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were 6¢ to 9¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 2¢ to 4¢ higher. Soybean futures were 5¢ to 7¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices continue to lose ground this week.

FOB live sales were $8-$9 lower in Nebraska at $209-$212/cwt. Dressed delivered prices were $10-$15 lower at $330.

That was on moderate trade and good demand through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Similarly, FOB live prices were $7-$10 lower in the western Corn Belt at $208 and dressed delivered trades were $12-$17 lower at $328-$330. Trade was light on moderate demand.

Trade in the Southern Plains was inactive on light demand. Last week, FOB live prices were $224 in the Texas Panhandle and $222-$224 in Kansas.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 40¢ lower Tuesday afternoon at $370.09/cwt. Select was 42¢ higher at $355.93.

Cattle futures did bounce back some on Tuesday, as traders absorbed news of Tyson’s plans to reduce packing capacity, and perhaps some latent reaction to Friday’s Cattle on Feed report, which underscored declining cattle numbers.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.01 higher (5¢ to $3.25 higher), except for an average of 71¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.66 higher, except for $1.82 lower in away Nov. and no trend in the back contract.

Grain and Soybean futures bounced higher Tuesday.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were unchanged to 2¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 4¢ to 7¢ higher. Soybean futures were fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

Cattle futures plowed lower Monday, driven by Friday’s news that Tyson will close its packing plant in Lexington, Neb, and decrease production in its Amarillo, Texas plant.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were limit-down $7.25, except for an average of $6.99 lower in the back three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were limit-down $9.25.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light to moderate demand in the western Corn Belt through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some early FOB live trades at $208/cwt.

Elsewhere, trade was inactive on light demand.

Last week, FOB live prices were $4 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $224/cwt., $4-$6 lower in Kansas at $222-$224, mostly $7 lower in Nebraska at mainly $218 and $7-$9 lower in the western Corn Belt at $215-$218. Dressed delivered prices were $10 lower in Nebraska at $340-$345 and mostly $3-$10 lower in the western Corn Belt at $340-$347.

The five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price last week was $7.65 lower at $217.41. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $7.58 lower at $343.36.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 99¢ lower Monday afternoon at $370.49/cwt. Select was $1.47 lower at $355.51.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed to lower Monday in lackadaisical holiday trade.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ lower to fractionally higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 3¢ to 4¢ lower. Soybean futures were 2¢ to 4¢ lower.

Cattle futures continued closed lower Friday, but off session lows. Pressure included the week’s softer cash fed cattle prices, news about U.S. tariffs being rolled back on Brazilian beef imports and Tyson announcing closure of its packing plant in Lexington, Neb.

Live Cattle futures were an average of 33¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 99¢ lower.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average $2.90 lower, except for unchanged in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $5.00 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were $4 lower in the Southern Plains at $224/cwt., mostly $7-$8 lower in Nebraska at mainly $218-$219 and $7-$12 in the western Corn Belt at mostly $215. Dressed delivered prices were $8-$10 lower in Nebraska at $340-$347 and mostly $3-$10 lower in the western Corn Belt at $340-$347.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 20¢ higher Friday afternoon at $371.48/cwt. Select was $2.80higher at $356.98.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 585,000 head was 9,000 head more than the previous week, but 50,000 head fewer (-7.9%) than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 26.2 million head was 2 million head fewer (-7.1%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 22.9 billion pounds was 1 billion pounds less (-4.4%).

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed Friday.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower with ongoing pressure from the surprisingly high yield estimate in the November WASDE. Corn futures an average of 7¢ lower through the front six contracts week to week on Friday.

On Friday, KC HRW Wheat futures were mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher. Soybean futures were unchanged to 2¢ higher through Aug ’26 and then 1¢ to 2¢ lower with lingering pressure from profit taking and farmer selling.