Cattle futures were mostly higher again Friday, buoyed by the week’s stronger cash fed cattle prices and seasonally stronger wholesale beef values.

Live cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ higher, except for an average of 9¢ lower in two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.06 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.09 higher and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.52 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on moderate to good demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few transactions to trend in any region, there were some FOB live trades at mostly $222/cwt. in the Southern Plains, where prices last week were mostly $220.

For the week, FOB live prices were $1-$2 higher at $230-$231 in Nebraska and $230 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $2 higher at mainly $360, with some up to $370 in Nebraska and some up to $365 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 58¢ higher Friday afternoon at $361.55/cwt. Select was $2.37 higher at $351.32.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 570,000 head was 4,000 head more than the previous week but 32,000 head fewer than the same week a year earlier. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 11.8 million head was 763,000 head fewer (-6.1%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 10.3 billion pounds was 277.9 million pounds less (-2.6%) than the same time last year.

Grain and Soybean futures softened Friday with threatened tariffs from the Trump Administration and potential profit taking and short covering ahead of the holiday weekend.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower. However, they were an average of 15’5¢ higher week to week on Friday, fueled by apparent short covering and speculation ending stocks could decline. 

Kansas City Wheat futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 7¢ lower through Mar ’26 and then 2¢ lower.