Cattle futures closed higher Wednesday with the hint of steady to higher cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $2.28 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.68 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light on good demand in the Southern Plains to inactive on moderate demand elsewhere through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early FOB live trades at $224-$225/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle and $225 in Kansas.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $223 in the Texas Panhandle, $222 in Kansas, $235-$237 in Nebraska and $230-$237 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $365-$370 in Nebraska and $371 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 28¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $365.16/cwt. Select was 20¢ higher at $356.72.

Turning to the grain complex, futures were higher Wednesday with likely short covering and perhaps some weather premium.

Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were mostly 4¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures were 4¢ higher. Soybean futures were 3¢ to 4¢ higher.