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.