Cattle futures mostly extended gains Monday, buoyed by last week’s stronger cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 68¢ higher, except for 47¢ lower and unchanged in the back two contracts.  

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 92¢ higher, except for $1.02 lower in the back contract.

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 mainly $5 higher in the Southern Plains at mostly $245/cwt., mainly steady in the Nebraska at $240 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $240-$242. Dressed delivered prices were steady with the top end of the previous week’s range at $378.

Last week’s five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price was $1.87 higher at $241.31. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $1.84 higher at $378.00.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.57 lower Monday afternoon at $367.76/cwt. Select was 82¢ higher at $364.53.

Grain and Soybean futures were lower Monday with likely positioning ahead of Tuesday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were fractionally lower to 1¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 2¢ lower. Soybean futures were fractionally lower to 5¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, supported by steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices, recovering from the previous session’s sell-off tied to news union workers voted to authorize a strike at the JBS beef packing plant in Greeley, Colo., though no timetable was set for the strike.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.63 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.76 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.87 higher (45¢ higher near the front to $4.00 higher). Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.34 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were mainly $5 higher in the Southern Plains at mostly $245/cwt., and mainly steady in the North at $240. Dressed delivered prices were steady with the top end of the previous week’s range at $378.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.08 higher Friday afternoon at $369.33/cwt. Select was $4.16 higher at $364.53. Week to week on Friday, Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.77 higher and Select was $2.59 higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 536,000 head was 8,000 head more than the previous week but 47,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated total year-to-date cattle slaughter of 2.9 million head was 382,000 head fewer (-11.7%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 2.6 billion pounds was 276.1 million pounds less (-9.7%).

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed Friday.  

Corn futures closed 3¢ to 4¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures closed 5¢ to 7¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher through near Aug and then 4¢ to 7¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed higher Monday, buoyed by last week’s stronger cash fed cattle prices and the friendly Cattle inventory report (see below).

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.72 higher. 

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.67 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were mainly $240/cwt., which was $4-$6 higher in the Texas Panhandle, $4-$7 higher in Kansas, $4-$6 higher in Nebraska and $5 higher in the western Corn Belt. 

Dressed delivered prices were $375-$378, which was $5-$8 higher in Nebraska and $8-$10 higher in the western Corn Belt.

Last week’s five-area direct weekly weighted average FOB live fed steer price was $4.74 higher at $239.44. The weekly weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $7.36 higher at $376.16.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.65 higher Monday afternoon at $368.21/cwt. Select was $2.97 higher at $364.91.

Grain and Soybean futures continued lower Monday.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ to 2¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 9¢ to 10¢ lower. Soybean futures were mostly 4¢ to 5¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed lower at the end of a volatile session Friday. Although cash fed cattle prices improved, wariness remained ahead of the semiannual Cattle inventory report (see below), while traders squared books for end of the week and month.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.11 lower (47¢ to $2.57 lower), except for 35¢ higher in spot Feb. 

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.66 lower.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.14 lower (12¢ to $1.75 lower) except for 95¢ higher in spot Feb. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 78¢ lower, except for 10¢ higher in new spot Mar.

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

For the week, FOB live prices were mainly $240/cwt., which was $4-$6 higher in the Texas Panhandle, $4-$7 higher in Kansas, $4-$6 higher in Nebraska and $5 higher in the western Corn Belt. 

Dressed delivered prices were $375-$378, which was $5-$8 higher in Nebraska and $8-$10 higher in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.10 lower Friday afternoon at $365.56/cwt. Select was $1.22 higher at $361.94. Week to week on Friday, Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.36 lower and Select was 45¢ lower.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 531,000 head was 4,000 head fewer than the previous week and 71,000 head fewer than the same week last year as packers slow production. Estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter of 2.3 million head was 337,000 head fewer (-12.6%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 2.1 billion pounds was 244.8 million pounds less (-10.5%).

Grain and Soybean futures were lower Friday with likely profit taking and month-end position squaring.

Corn futures were 2¢ to 3¢ lower through Jly ‘27. KC HRW Wheat futures were 1¢ to 4¢ lower. Soybean futures were mostly 7¢ to 9¢ lower.

Cattle futures eased mostly lower Thursday with likely profit taking, the lack of direction in weekly cash fed cattle trade and positioning ahead of USDA’s Cattle report due to be published on Friday.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.o5 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.27 lower, except for $1.00 higher in expiring Jan.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $234-$236/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $233-$236 in Kansas, $234-$236 in Nebraska and mainly $235 in the western Corn Belt.

Dressed delivered prices were $370 in Nebraska and $365-$370 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.08 lower Thursday afternoon at $367.66/cwt. Select was $2.85 lower at $360.72.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed Thursday.

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 5¢ higher. Soybean futures were 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, helped by early cash fed cattle bids on the upper end of last week’s range.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.10 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.93 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $234-$236/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $233-$236 in Kansas, $234-$236 in Nebraska and mainly $235 in the western Corn Belt.

Dressed delivered prices were $370 in Nebraska and $365-$370 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.63 higher Wednesday afternoon at $369.74/cwt. Select was $1.62 lower at $363.57.

Grain and Soybean futures were higher Wednesday, helped along by the declining U.S. dollar value.

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were 3¢ to 4¢ higher, supported by President Trump’s claim that a deal is near for making gasolene blended with ethanol available year-round.

KC HRW Wheat futures were 9¢ higher with likely short covering.

Soybean futures were 6¢ to 8¢ higher.

Cattle futures meandered Tuesday, awaiting weekly cash direction.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 24¢ lower, except for an average of 2¢ higher in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 29¢ lower in five contracts to an average of 19¢ higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $234-$236/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $233-$236 in Kansas $234-$236 in Nebraska and mainly $235 in the western Corn Belt.

Dressed delivered prices were $370 in Nebraska and $365-$370 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 79¢ lower Tuesday afternoon at $368.11/cwt. Select was $1.93 lower at $365.19.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed Tuesday.

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 1¢ to 2¢ higher. Soybean futures were 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Last week’s stronger cash fed cattle prices helped Cattle futures continue higher on Monday.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.10 higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.35 higher

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

Last week, FOB live prices were steady to $3 higher in Kansas at $233-$236/cwt., mostly $1-$3 higher in Nebraska at $234-$236, and mostly $3 higher in the western Corn Belt at mainly $235. Prices in the Texas Panhandle were $234-$236; there was no recent tests for a comparison.

Dressed delivered prices were mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mainly $370 and $2-$3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $365-$368.

The five-area direct weekly weighted average FOB live fed steer price was $2.20 higher at $234.70/cwt. The weekly weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $4.16 higher at $368.80.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 2¢ lower Monday afternoon at $368.90/cwt. Select was $4.73 higher at $367.12.

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

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were fractionally lower to 2¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 9¢ to 11¢ lower. Soybean futures were 4¢ to 7¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed higher Friday with stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values’ continued gains. Reaction to the latest Cattle on Feed report could vary (see below).

Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.18 higher (67¢ higher toward the back to $2.52 higher in spot Feb). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 66¢ higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.47 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.80 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices through Friday afternoon were mainly higher with trade ranging from moderate to active on good demand in Nebraska to moderate on good demand in other regions, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were $1-$3 higher in Nebraska at $234-$236/cwt., mostly $3 higher in the western Corn Belt at mainly $235 and unevenly steady in Kansas at mostly $233. Prices in the Texas Panhandle were $234-$236; there was no recent tests for a comparison.

Dressed delivered prices were mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mainly $370 and $2-$3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $365-$368.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.47 higher Friday afternoon at $368.92/cwt. Select was 66¢ higher at $362.39. Week to week on Friday, Choice boxed beef cutout value was $6.54 higher and Select was $2.20 higher. The Choice-Select spread was $4.34 wider week to week on Friday at $6.53

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 535,000 head was 27,000 head fewer than the previous week and 59,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 1.8 million head was 272,000 head fewer (-13.1%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 1.6 billion pounds was 195.5 million pounds less (-10.8%).

Grain and Soybean futures continued higher Friday, supported by export demand, weather risk in the U.S. on intensity of the current winter storm and hotter drier conditions in South America.

Corn futures were 3¢ to 6¢ higher through Mar ‘27. KC HRW Wheat futures were 9¢ to 15¢ higher. Soybean futures were 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

Cattle futures were narrowly mixed Friday, awaiting the week’s cash fed cattle direction and likely positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 18¢ lower, except for unchanged to an average of 3¢ higher in three contracts. 

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 41¢ higher, except for unchanged in one contract.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $233/cwt. in Kansas, mostly $233 in Nebraska and mostly $232 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $365 in Nebraska and $363-$365 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.34 higher Thursday afternoon at $367.45/cwt. Select was 72¢ lower at $361.73.

Grain and Soybean futures firmed Thursday, led by Kansas City Wheat, with likely weather premium for the massive and frigid winter storm predicted for much of the country.

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ to 2¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 5¢ to 6¢ higher. Soybean futures were mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher.