Fat cattle futures closed out the Tuesday session with contracts slipping a dime to 50 cents into the close. Cash activity thus far has been limited to accumulating show lists. Feeder cattle futures closed out the Tuesday session holding onto gains with contracts up 65 to 90 cents higher. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up another $1.03 to $326.83 on July 21.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Tuesday PM report, widening the Chc/Sel spread to $24.56. Choice boxes were quoted 43 cents higher at $372.50, while Select prices on average dropped $2.11 to $347.94. USDA estimated cattle slaughter for Tuesday at 112,000 head, with the week to date total at 217,000. That was down 13,000 head from last week and 21,983 head lower vs. the same week in 2024.
