Cattle futures eased mostly lower Friday, awaiting full development of the week’s cash fed cattle trade.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 21¢ lower, except for 57¢ higher in spot Feb.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 33¢ higher, except for 27¢ lower in three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate to good demand in Nebraska through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were mostly $5 higher at mainly $245/cwt. Dressed delivered prices were $2-$4 higher at $380-$382.

Trade was limited on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades at $244 and a few dressed trades at $380. Prices there the previous week were $240-$242 and $378, respectively.

Trade was inactive on light demand in the Southern Plains. FOB live prices the previous week were mostly $245.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 37¢ lower Friday afternoon at $364.47/cwt. Select was 39¢ higher at $363.42. Week to week on Friday, Choice boxed beef was $4.86 lower and Select was $1.11 lower.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 541,000 head was 5,000 head more than the previous week but 21,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 3.4 million head was 404,000 head fewer (-10.6%) than the same time last year. Total estimated year-to-date beef production of 3.1 billion pounds was 285.1 million pounds less (-8.6%).

Book squaring and profit taking ahead of the market’s three-day weekend appeared to be the order of business for Grain and Soybean futures on Friday.  

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher. KC HRW Wheat futures closed 10¢ to 12¢ lower. Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.