Live cattle futures closed $1.45 to $1.97 in the green on the St. Patrick’s Day close. Open interest was up 472 contracts. Cash trade has been quiet so far this week. Last week settled in at $234-236. Feeder cattle futures were in rally mode on Tuesday, with gains of $4.32 to $5.22. OI was down 1,196 contracts, suggesting some short covering. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down another $1.30 to $357.05 on March 13. The Monday OKC Feeder cattle auction saw sales on 4,305 head sold, with sales 10-15 higher on feeders and calves up $10-20 for steers and $5-15 for heifers.
The Tuesday update from APHIS on New World Screwworm south of the border showed 1,025 active cases in Mexico. Of that, 28 are in the bordering state of Tamaulipas
