Live cattle futures are mixed, with February up 80 cents on the cash strength and other contracts down 7 to 80 cents. Cash trade kicked off this week, with some $196-197 reported in the South and the North reporting sales of $200. This morning’s Fed Cattle Exchange from Central Stockyards showed sales on 434 of the 868 head at $197. Feeder cattle futures are down $1.15 to $1.25 at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 72 cents from the day prior at $261.77 on January 1.
Beef export sales totaled 1,412 MT for 2024 in the last full week of the year, with 11,140 MT for 2025 shipment. South Korea was the largest buyer of a combined 3,600 MT, with China in for a total of 2,200 MT. Exports in the week of 12/26 were tallied at 12,204 MT, a 16-week low. Japan was the destination of 3,400 MT, with 3,400 headed to South Korea.
USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Friday morning report. Choice boxes were up $1.46 at $324.94/cwt and Select $1.83 higher @ $296.06. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 125,000 head on Thursday, taking the weekly total to 350,000 head. That is up 75,000 head from last week but down 23,234 head from the same week last year.
Feb 25 Live Cattle are at $194.400, up $0.800,
Apr 25 Live Cattle are at $195.975, down $0.075,
Jun 25 Live Cattle are at $190.500, down $0.850,
Jan 25 Feeder Cattle are at $265.300, down $1.175
Mar 25 Feeder Cattle are at $264.950, down $1.250
Apr 25 Feeder Cattle are at $265.325, down $1.200
On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here. More news from BarchartThe views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
