Cattle futures closed higher Friday, helped along by more bullish outside markets, indications of stronger cash trade and perhaps added confidence from the resolution to the dock strikes, at least for now.

Live Cattle futures were an average of 63¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.48 higher (45¢ to $2.25 higher). Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.97 higher and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.78 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were moderate in the Southern Plains through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $1 higher  at $186/cwt.

Elsewhere, trade was slow on light demand with too few transactions to trend.

Last week FOB Live prices were mostly $187 in Nebraska and $186-$187 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292-$294.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.78 higher Friday afternoon at $302.58/cwt. Select was $4.32 higher at $287.61.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 611,000 head was 1,000 head fewer than the previous week and 16,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 23.9 million head was 950,000 head fewer (-3.8%) than the same period a year earlier. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 20.2 billion pounds was 150.1 million pounds less (-0.7%).

Grain and Soybean futures closed lower again Friday with harvest pressure.

Corn futures closed 2¢ to 4¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures closed 11¢ to 13¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 8¢ lower.