Live cattle futures are up $1.95 to $2.80 in most contracts on Tuesday. Last week’s cash trade was at $246-249 in the South, with some northern action near $249-250. Monday had some cleanup trade at $248 in KS. Feeder cattle futures are $1.45 to $2.40 higher in the front months. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up $7.27 to $373.94 on April 10. The OKC feeder cattle auction from Monday had sales on 4,859 head, with feeders steady to $5 higher for steers and heifers up $10-15. Calves were steady to $25 higher.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Tuesday morning report, with the Chc/Sel back to a Choice premium of $1.70. Choice boxes were up $2.86 to $384.78, while Select was 56 cents lower at $383.08. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 107,000 head for Monday. That was up 9,000 head from last week but 5,513 head below the same week last year.
