Live Cattle Higher, Feeders Head Lower
Live cattle futures are holding higher with gains of 37 to 87 cents. Cash action has seen $191-192 trade in the South this week, with action up to $195-196 in the North. There were no deliveries issued against December live cattle again on Wednesday. Feeder cattle are posting losses of $1.07 to $1.35 so far at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up $1.61 from the day prior at $263.07 on December 11.
USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Friday AM report. Choice boxes were up 66 cents to $315.90/cwt, with Select $2.37 higher @ $283.85. USDA estimated Thursday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 125,000 head, taking the WTD total to 489,000 head. That is 4,000 head above the previous week and down 14,183 from the same week last year.
Dec 24 Live Cattle are at $193.000, up $0.875,
Feb 25 Live Cattle are at $191.600, up $0.750,
Apr 25 Live Cattle are at $192.550, up $0.375,
Jan 25 Feeder Cattle are at $257.275, down $1.075
Mar 25 Feeder Cattle are at $257.225, down $1.350
Apr 25 Feeder Cattle are at $258.025, down $1.200
On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.