Live cattle futures are trading with contracts down a nickel to 37 cents higher on Tuesday. Cash trade has yet to begin this week, with last week showing steady trade, at $195-195.50 in the North and $191 in the South. Feeder cattle futures are mixed wth January up 20 cents and others down a nickel to 12 cents. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 85 cents from the day prior at $263.00 on December 20. The markets will close early this afternoon, with a day off on Wednesday.
Beef stocks at the end of November were reported at 440.5 million lbs, which was down 3.69% from last year and 1.8% above October per the seasonal shift. It was the tightest beef stocks for November since 2014.
USDA wholesale Boxed Beef report will not be published on Tuesday or Wednesday for Christmas. Prices were higher in the Monday afternoon report, with Choice boxes up 13 cents to $315.98/cwt and Select 84 cents higher @ $286.75. USDA estimated Monday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 118,000 head. That is even with last Monday, but well above the same (Christmas) Monday from last year.
Dec 24 Live Cattle are at $191.125, up $0.150,
Feb 25 Live Cattle are at $187.825, up $0.375,
Apr 25 Live Cattle are at $189.900, up $0.200,
Jan 25 Feeder Cattle are at $256.800, up $0.200
Mar 25 Feeder Cattle are at $255.875, down $0.125
Apr 25 Feeder Cattle are at $256.725, down $0.050
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 Barchart- Are Cattle Prices Heading for Record Highs in 2025?
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