Live cattle futures posted modest losses of 57 cents to $1.42 at the Monday close. Open interest was down 2,287 contracts on Monday. Cash trade has yet to be reported this week, with Monday mostly compiling showlists, as trade has been light in recent weeks. Feeder cattle futures were down $1.32 to $3.02 on Monday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was $1.72 on September 24 to $338.79. OI was down 1,723 contracts. The weekly OKC feeder cattle auction had an estimated 6,000 head for sale, with sales steady to $3 lower on feeder steers and steady on heifers. Calves were $5 to $15 lower for steers and $2-8 lower for heifers.
The Monday Crop Progress report showed the US pasture rating at 19% gd/ex, up 2% on the week. The Brugler500 index was back up 6 points to 248.
