Cattle futures mostly firmed on Friday.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 92¢ higher, except for 25¢ lower and unchanged in the front two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.68 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of $1.12 lower in the front four contracts to an average of 72¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.65 higher (see below).

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

For the week, FOB live prices were $3 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $237/cwt., $3-$5 lower in Kansas, at $235-$237, $3-$4 lower in Nebraska at $232-$235 and $4-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt at mostly $232. Dressed delivered prices were $5 lower in Nebraska at $365 and $3-$11 lower in the western Corn Belt at $365.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 54¢ lower Friday afternoon at $371.43/cwt. Select was $1.01 lower at $352.44.

Grain futures closed lower Friday. Corn futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat closed 6¢ to 7¢ lower. However, Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

Cattle futures stepped lower Thursday as wholesale beef prices continue to fall and with early weekly cash fed cattle trade weaker.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures an average of $2.60 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.49 lower, except for 2¢ higher in spot Sep.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate demand in the Texas Panhandle and light to moderate on moderate demand in Kansas through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. In the North, trade was moderate on moderate demand.

For the week, FOB live prices are $3 lower in the Southern Plains at $237/cwt., $3-$4 lower in Nebraska at $232-$235 and $4-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt at $232. Dressed delivered prices are $5 lower in Nebraska at $365 and $3-$11 lower in the western Corn Belt at $365.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.42 lower Thursday afternoon at $371.97/cwt. Select was $2.97 lower at $353.45.

Grain and Soybean futures firmed Thursday with support including Argentina’s renewal of its agricultural export tax.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were fractionally higher to 1¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures were 4¢ to 5¢ higher. Soybean futures were 2¢ to 3¢ higher.

Cattle futures softened Wednesday and consolidated with some likely profit taking and waiting for weekly cash fed cattle direction.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $1.72 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.27 lower, except for 55¢ higher in spot Sep.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $240/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $236-$238 in Nebraska and $236-$237 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $370 in Nebraska and $368-$376 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.41 lower Wednesday afternoon at $377.39/cwt. Select was $3.48 lower at $356.42.

Grain and Soybean futures were lower Wednesday.

Toward the close and through away Jly contracts, Corn futures were 2¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 4¢ lower. Soybean futures were 3¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed mainly higher Tuesday with follow-through support from the previous day’s New World screwworm news.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were mixed from an average of 98¢ lower in the front four contracts to an average of $1.08 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.94 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $240/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $236-$238 in Nebraska and $236-$237 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $370 in Nebraska and $368-$376 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 59¢ lower Tuesday afternoon at $380.80/cwt. Select was $2.19 lower at $359.90.

Soybean futures were firm to higher.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Corn futures were 2¢ to 4¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures were 8¢ to 9¢ higher. Soybean futures were fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Cattle futures stormed higher Monday, fueled by news that New World screwworm was confirmed just about 70 miles south of the U.S. border (see below) and traders thinking it will prevent Mexican cattle imports for even longer. Last week’s Cattle on Feed report may have provided some added lift.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $3.75 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.01 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were steady in the Southern Plains at $240/cwt., $2-$4 lower in Nebraska at $236-$238 and $3-$4 lower in the western Corn Belt at $236-$237. Dressed delivered prices were $5-$8 lower in Nebraska at $370 and $2 to $7 lower in the western Corn Belt at $368-$376.

The five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price last week was $1.82 lower at $237.51. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $5.27 lower at $370.88.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 66¢ lower Monday afternoon at $381.39/cwt. Select was $2.17 higher at $362.09.

Soybean futures led the grain complex lower again Monday, pressured by Argentina lowering its export tax for a time.

Toward the close and through away Jly contracts, Corn futures were 2¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 5¢ lower. Soybean futures were 13¢ to 14¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed higher for a consecutive second session, and for the week, helped along by stronger outside markets and ongoing bullish fundamentals.

Live cattle futures were an average of $1.18 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.44 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.92 higher and Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.64 higher.

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

Although too few to trend, there were a few live FOB trades in Nebraska at $237/cwt. and a few in the western Corn Belt at $236.

For the week, FOB live prices were steady in Kansas at $240, mostly $2-$4 lower in Nebraska at $236-$238 and mostly $3-$4 lower in the western Corn Belt at $236-$237. Dressed delivered prices were $5-$8 lower in Nebraska at $370.

The previous week, FOB live prices were $240 in the Texas Panhandle and dressed delivered prices in the western Corn Belt were $375-$378.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.76 lower Friday afternoon at $382.05/cwt. Select was $1.39 lower at $359.92.

Total estimated cattle slaughter last week of 552,000 head was 13,000 head fewer than the previous week and 62,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 21.1 million head was 1.6 million head fewer (-7.1%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated total beef production of 18.3 billion pounds was 824.9 million pounds less (-4.3%).

Soybean futures led the grain complex lower Friday, with none of the hoped for mention in trade talks with China.

Toward the close and through away Jly contracts, Soybean futures were mostly 9¢ to 12¢ lower. Corn futures were mostly fractionally lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 1¢ to 2¢ lower.

Cattle futures regained some footing Thursday with some likely positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report. Depending on who you follow, August placements are estimated to be nearly 9% less year over year with August marketing down about 13% and the Sept. 1 cattle on feed inventory down nearly 1%.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $1.53 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.10 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand in the Texas Panhandle to light on moderate demand in the North, through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Dressed delivered prices were $5-$8 lower in Nebraska at $370/cwt. FOB live prices there last week were mostly $240.

In the western Corn Belt, FOB live prices were steady to $3 lower at $237. Dressed delivered prices in the region last week were $375-$378.

Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades in Kansas at $240. Prices in the Southern Plains last week were $240.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.37 lower Thursday afternoon at $385.81/cwt. Select was $5.06 lower at $361.31.

Grain and Soybean futures continued lower Thursday with harvest pressure, farmer selling and profit taking. 

Toward the close and through away Jly contracts, Corn futures were 2¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 5¢ to 6¢ lower. Soybean futures were 4¢ to 5¢ lower.

Cattle futures continued lower Wednesday, hampered by wariness ahead of the Fed’s interest rate announcement and swift declines in wholesale beef prices.

Negotiated cash fed trade cattle was limited on moderate demand in the Texas Panhandle through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some early FOB live trades at $238-$239/cwt. Elsewhere, trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand.

Last week, FOB live prices were mainly $240/cwt. in all regions. Dressed delivered prices were $375-$378.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.44 lower Wednesday afternoon at $388.18/cwt. Select was $6.80 lower at $366.37.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $2.04 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.51 lower.

Grain and Soybean futures closed lower with likely increased farmer selling. 

Cattle futures gave back some of the previous session’s gains with declining wholesale beef prices and the outlook for perhaps lower cash fed cattle trade again this week. Pressure may have also included USDA confirmation the previous day of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in a Nebraska dairy cattle herd.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of 58¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.16 lower, except for 17¢ higher in near Oct.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was 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 mainly $240/cwt. in all regions. Dressed delivered prices were $375-$378.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.91 lower Tuesday afternoon at $392.62/cwt. Select was $5.63 lower at $373.17.

Grain and Soybean futures bounced higher Tuesday, helped by reports of lower corn and soybean yields and the lower U.S. Dollar. 

Toward the close and through away Jly contracts, Corn futures were 4¢ to 5¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures were 8¢ higher. Soybean futures were 6¢ higher.

Cattle futures climbed back Monday as funds appeared to retrench following last week’s losses.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $4.42 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.81 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were mainly $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $240/cwt. and $2-$3 lower in the North at $240. Dressed delivered trade was $5-$8 lower at $375-$378.

The five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price last week was $3.22 lower at $239.33/cwt. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $7.00 lower at $376.15.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.51 lower Monday afternoon at $398.53/cwt. Select however, was 36¢ higher at $378.80.

Turning to grain complex, futures turned lower on likely profit taking from the previous session’s gains. 

Toward the close and through away Jly contracts, Corn futures were 5¢ to 6¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were unchanged to fractionally lower. Soybean futures were mostly 3¢ to 4¢ lower.