Live cattle futures posted Tuesday gains of 57 cents to $2.17 across the board on Tuesday. Cash trade has yet to be reported this week, following the northern dressed sales at $350-355 and live $222-227 action last week, with Southern sales at $228. Feeder cattle futures saw Tuesday strength of $1.47 to $3.02. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back down $1.29 on October 19 to $342.16. Monday’s OKC feeder cattle auction showed 4,538 head sold, down over 1,700 head for the same week last year. Sales were $4-6 higher on heavy weight steers and steady to $4 lower on lighter weight steers. Heifers were steady to $3 higher. Calves were up $10-15.
Monday’s Crop Progress report showed the US pasture rating at 23% gd/ex, up 1% on the week. The Brugler500 index was up 6 points at 256.
