Live cattle futures are slipping back, down 25 cents to $1.17 at midday. Cash trade was quiet on Monday, as trade was $222-223 live and $345 dressed action in the North last week, with some southern action near $226. Feeder cattle futures are down 25 cents to $1.20 in the front months on Tuesday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was $1.55 higher on October 9 to $338.62. The Monday OKC feeder auction saw sales on 5,496 head, with sales listed at steady to $3 higher on feeder steers, with lighter steers up $5-10. Heifers were $2-7 higher. Calves were $10-20 higher.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Tuesday morning, with the Chc/Sel at $20.86. Choice boxes were up 98 cents to $376.54, with Select $1.55 to $354.77. USDA estimated Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Monday at 106,000 head. That was up 4,000 from the Monday prior but 2,419 head below the same week last year.
