Live cattle futures were up 85 cents to $2.80 on Monday. Today was first notice day for October live cattle, with no deliveries issued. Cash trade settled in at $230 in the North last week with Southern trade at $233. Feeder cattle futures led the charge higher on Monday, with contracts up $5.22 to $5.50. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up $0.90 at $363.47 on October 3. The weekly OKC feeder cattle auction had an estimated 5,500 head for sale. Sales on feeder steers were steady, with heifers firm to $4 higher and lighter heifers down $1-4. Steer calves were up $10-20.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Monday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel spread narrowing to $15.37. Choice boxes were up $1.07 at $363.34, while Select was $2.59 higher to $347.97. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Monday was estimated at 101,000 head. That was 12,000 head below last week and 9,385 shy of the same week last year.
