Cattle futures plumbed lower Friday, with continued concern about a potential strike at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colo., lower cash fed cattle prices, bearish outside markets, as well as month-end profit taking and technical selling.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.49 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $7.51 lower.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.30 lower ($2.57 lower in expiring Feb to $9.77 lower). Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $12.88 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle ranged from moderate on light to moderate demand in the Texas Panhandle to moderate on moderate demand elsewhere through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were $5 lower in the Southern Plains at $244/cwt. and $4-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt at $240-$243. Prices in Nebraska the previous week were $247-$248.

Dressed delivered prices were $5 lower in Nebraska at $383. The previous week, prices were $388 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.95 higher Friday afternoon at $379.84/cwt. Select was $3.52 higher at $374.31. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $13.14 higher at $379.84/cwt. and Select was $13.57 higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 516,000 head was the same as the previous week but 53,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Total year-to-date estimated cattle slaughter of 4.5 million head was 501,000 head fewer (-10.1%) than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 4 billion pounds was 342.3 million pounds less (-7.9%).

Wheat futures led the grain complex ahead on Friday, closing 10¢ to 21¢ higher on short covering tied to weather concerns in India.

Corn futures were 2¢ to 5¢ higher through near Dec and then mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures were 4¢ to 9¢ higher through near Aug  and then mostly 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

Cattle futures stepped lower Thursday, pressured by wariness over a potential strike at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, CO and softer early cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.84 lower, except for unchanged in expiring Feb. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.05 lower.

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

In Nebraska, early dressed delivered prices were $5 lower at $383/cwt. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades at $243-$245; prices last week were mainly $247-$248.

In the western Corn Belt, early FOB live prices were $2-$4 lower at $243. Although too few to trend, there were some dressed delivered trades at $382-$383; prices last week were $388.

Trade was inactive on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains. FOB live prices there last week were $249.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.34 lower Thursday afternoon at $377.89/cwt. Select was $3.72 higher at $370.79.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed on Thursday with early pressure from disappointing weekly export sales.  

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

Cattle futures continued higher Wednesday, helped along by another day of higher wholesale beef values.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.19 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.99 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 $249/cwt. in the Southern Plains, mainly $247-$248 in Nebraska and $245-$247 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $388.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.80 higher Wednesday afternoon at $379.23/cwt. Select was $1.06 higher at $367.07.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed on Wednesday.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, KC HRW Wheat futures were 2¢ to 4¢ lower again on further profit taking. Soybean futures were mostly 6¢ to 10¢ higher on continued optimism about trade talks with China. Corn futures were 2¢ to 3¢ higher.

Cattle futures firmed and crept higher Tuesday without the previous day’s pressure from outside markets and supported by higher wholesale beef values.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 36¢ higher, except for 7¢ lower in near Apr. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 59¢ higher, except for an average of 18¢ lower in the back two contracts.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $249/cwt. in the Southern Plains, mainly $247-$248 in Nebraska and $245-$247 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $388.

Choice wholesale values surged higher, perhaps with buyers positioning against the potential JBS strike.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $8.21 higher Tuesday afternoon at $377.43/cwt. Select was $1.70 higher at $366.01.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed on Tuesday.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, KC HRW Wheat futures closed 4¢ to 5¢ lower. Corn futures were 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher. Soybean futures were 1¢ to 4¢ higher, supported by continued optimism about U.S. trade talks with China and perhaps the reported slower year-over-year harvest pace in Brazil.

Cattle futures closed lower again Monday, pressured by bearish outside markets and despite Friday’s neutral-to-friendly Cattle on Feed report. Uncertainty also lingered about the potential strike at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colo.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.59 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.16 lower.

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 $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $249/cwt., mostly $2-$3 higher in Nebraska at mainly $247-$248 and $1-$2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $245-$247. Dressed delivered prices were $388, which was $6 higher in Nebraska and $6-$8 higher in the western Corn Belt.

Last week’s five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price was $1.29 higher at $246.91. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $6.82 higher at $387.95.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.52 higher Monday afternoon at $369.22/cwt. Select was $3.57 higher at $364.31.

Grain and Soybean futures were mixed on Monday with some likely repositioning and profit taking based on tariff uncertainty.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, KC HRW Wheat futures were 11¢ to 13¢ lower. Corn futures were fractionally higher to 1¢ higher. Soybean futures were fractionally mixed to 3¢ lower

Cattle futures closed lower Friday, pressured by the lack of direction from negotiated cash fed cattle trade before the close, the Cattle on Feed report (see below) issued after the close of trade and wariness over the union at the JBS plant in Greeley voting whether to strike.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.35 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.57 lower. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.08 higher (17¢ to $3.50 higher), except for an average of 14¢ lower in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 98¢ higher (30¢ higher at the back to $1.87 higher in spot Mar).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Trade was moderate on moderate to good demand in Nebraska and moderate to active on good demand in the western Corn Belt.

The only established trends were in the western Corn Belt, where FOB live prices were $1-$2 higher at $245-$247/cwt. and dressed delivered prices were $6-$8 higher at $388.

There was some dressed trade in Nebraska at $388, but there were too few transactions to trend. FOB live prices there the previous week were mostly $245.

Also, for the previous week, FOB live prices were mostly $248 in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.53 higher Friday afternoon at $366.70/cwt. Select was 95¢ higher at $360.74. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $2.23 higher but Select was $2.68 lower.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 516,000 head was 25,000 head fewer than the previous week and 49,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated total year-to-date cattle slaughter of 3.9 million head was 450,000 head fewer (-10.3%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 3.5 billion pounds was 313.2 million pounds less (-8.2%).

Grain futures were higher on Friday.  

KC HRW Wheat futures were mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher with short covering and weather premium.

Corn futures were mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher, supported by higher Wheat futures.

Soybean futures were 1¢ to 3¢ lower through Mar ‘27 with uncertainty about the Supreme Court decision to overrule President Trump’s reciprocal trade tariffs and the potential impact on trade agreements with China.

Cattle futures meandered in two-sided trading with thoughts of steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices this week and likely positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Depending on the estimates, analysts peg January feedlot placements 4% less, January marketings 13% less and the Feb. 1 inventory of cattle on feed down 1.6%.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were mixed from an average of 52¢ higher, to an average of 10¢ lower in four contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 35¢ lower, except for 25¢ higher in the back contract.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were mainly $248/cwt. in the Southern Plains, mostly $245 in Nebraska and mostly $244-$245 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $382 in Nebraska and $380-$382 in the western Corn Belt on a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.37 higher Thursday afternoon at $365.17/cwt. Select was 84¢ lower at $359.79.

Soybean and grain futures were mixed Thursday.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat futures were 14¢ to 16¢ higher with likely short covering and perhaps weather premium.

Soybean futures were 2¢ to 8¢ higher with likely technical buying.

Cattle futures mostly edged higher Wednesday, maintaining the previous session’s strong gains and expectations for steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices this week.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 11¢ higher, except for unchanged to an average of 15¢ lower in two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 16¢ higher, except for an average of 25¢ lower at either end of the board.

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 mainly $248/cwt. in the Southern Plains, mostly $245 in Nebraska and mostly $244-$245 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $382 in Nebraska and $380-$382 in the western Corn Belt on a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 96¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $363.80/cwt. Select was 41¢ higher at $360.63.

Grain futures gained Wednesday on likely short covering.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were unchanged to fractionally higher. KC HRW Wheat futures were 10¢ to 14¢ higher. Soybean futures were mostly 1¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed higher Tuesday, supported by last week’s stronger cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were $1.96 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.01 higher.

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 mostly $3 higher in the Southern Plains at mainly $248/cwt., mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mainly $345 and $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at mostly $244-$245. Dressed delivered prices were $4 higher in Nebraska at $282 and $2-$4 higher at $380-$382 in the western Corn Belt on a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.01 lower Tuesday afternoon at $364.76/cwt. Select was $1.01 lower at $360.22.

Grain futures were lower Tuesday on resistance.  

Toward the close, through near Sep contracts, Corn futures were 5¢ to 6¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures, however,  were 1¢ to 4¢ higher on resilient demand.

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 mostly $3 higher in the Southern Plains at mainly $248/cwt., mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mainly $345 and $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at mostly $244-$245. Dressed delivered prices were $4 higher in Nebraska at $282 and $2-$4 higher at $380-$382 in the western Corn Belt on a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.30 higher Monday afternoon at $367.77/cwt. Select was $2.19 lower at $361.23.

Futures and equity markets were closed Monday for Presidents Day.