Cattle futures continued mainly higher Wednesday, with positive outside markets and growing optimism about cash fed cattle prices this week.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $1.06 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.60 higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $224/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $224-$225 in Kansas, $230-$232 in Nebraska and $230-$234 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $368.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $6.59 lower Wednesday afternoon at $386.45. Select was $5.19 lower at $373.27.

Grain futures firmed Wednesday on likely short covering, while Soybean futures kept searching for a bottom.

Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ to 2¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures unchanged to 4¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 13¢ lower.