Live cattle futures posted gains of $4.35 to $4.625 on Monday, to take back much of last week’s losses. Cash activity narrowed in at $240 last week across the country down $2 from the week prior. Much of this week’s early action has been compiling showlists. Feeder cattle futures were up $7.00 to $8.70 higher at Monday’s close. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 93 cents at $362.15 on September 12. The weekly OKC feeder cattle auction showed 6,000 head for sale, with price action down $2-3 for feeder heifers and steady for feeder steers. Calves were down $10-20.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Monday PM report, with the Chc/Sel spread at $19.73. Choice boxes were down $1.51 at $398.53, while Select was another 36 cents higher to $378.80. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Monday was estimated at 110,000 head. That was 4,000 head above last Monday, but 10,815 head lower vs. the same week in 2024.
