Live cattle futures are posting 62 to 87 cent losses across most contracts at midday. Cash activity has been quiet this week, with some light bids of $242 reported. This morning’s Fed Catte Exchange online auction showed sales on 398 of the 1,238 head offered at $242-$242.50. Feeder cattle futures are $2.20 to $2.25 lower across the front months. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up $1.05 to $365.52 on September 1.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were back higher in the Wednesday AM report, with the Chc/Sel spread at $28.29. Choice boxes were up $2.63 at $416.05, while Select was $1.59 higher to $387.76. USDA estimated cattle slaughter for Tuesday at 120,000 head. That was up 2,000 head from last week and 6,291 head lower vs. the same Tuesday in 2024.
