Live cattle futures are trading with $1.82 to $2 gains at Tuesday’s midday. There were no new deliveries on Monday for October live cattle. Cash trade has been quiet this week, with last week settling in at $240-241 across the country. Feeder cattle futures are up 25 cents to $1.05 on Tuesday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back down 36 cents at $376.15 on October 17. The Monday OKC feeder cattle auction had 6,298 head sold, with feeders down $5-15. Steer calves were steady with lighter weights up $10-20 and heifer calves down $5-15.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Tuesday morning report, widening the Chc/Sel spread at $19.83. Choice boxes were up $2.76 to $371.94, while Select was $1.35 lower at $352.11. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Monday week was estimated at 95,000 head. That is 11,000 head above last week but 24,716 shy of the same week last year.
