Cattle futures lost early steam Wednesday but closed narrowly mixed to higher, supported by bullish outside markets.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 21¢ lower to an average of 37¢ higher. 

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 69¢ higher.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $252-$257/cwt. in Nebraska and mostly $255 elsewhere. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $400.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.72 lower Wednesday afternoon at $389.62/cwt. Select was $2.61 lower at $389.63.

Grain and Soybean futures trended lower on Wednesday as Crude Oil prices pulled back.

Toward the close, and through near Dec contracts, Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 2¢ to 9¢ lower. Corn futures were 11¢ to 12¢ lower. Soybean futures were 14¢ to 17¢ lower through near Nov.