Live cattle futures are easing back on Friday, with contracts down 57 cents to $1.07, as August is still being held up by cash. Cash trade has been light this week, with light trade picked up in KS at $230-231 and $240-242 northern action. The Central Stockyears Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed $230 sales on 396 of the 792 head listed. Feeder cattle are falling $1.65 to $2 at the midday part of the session. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up 26 cents to $322.17 on July 16.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Friday morning report, with the Chc/Sel spread widening back to $21.21. Choice boxes (600-900 lb) were down $0.77 to $374.05, while Select was quoted $1.00 lower at $352.84/cwt. USDA estimated cattle slaughter for Thursday at 115,000 head, with the weekly total at 458,000. That was 20,053 head lower vs. the same weekly total in 2024.
