Cattle futures mostly crawled higher Thursday as traders await further direction from this week’s negotiated cash fed cattle trade.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 70¢ higher (from 2¢ higher to $4.10 higher in waning spot Oct. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher, except for an average of 40¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades $235-$235.50/cwt.

Elsewhere, trade was inactive on light to moderate demand.

So far this week, FOB live prices are mostly $230/cwt. in the North and dressed delivered trades in Nebraska are $355-$360.

Last week, FOB live prices in the Southern Plains were $238. Dressed delivered prices in the western Corn Belt last week were $372 in a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.11 lower Thursday afternoon at $378.27/cwt. Select was $2.27 lower at $359.52.

Soybean futures gained Thursday with an announced trade truce between the United States and China, albeit a deal with few details provided.

Toward the close and through Jly contracts, Soybean futures were 7¢ to 12¢ higher. Corn futures were 3¢ to 4¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures were 7¢ to 9¢ lower.