Live cattle futures are posting 62 cent to $1.45 gains across most contracts at midday. Cash trade settled in last week around $191 in the South and $191-192 in the North, which was a $1-2 improvement from the previous week.
Feeder cattle are up 40 to 65 cents so far on the day. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up another $1.36 from the day prior at $261.83 on December 5. The weekly OKC feeder cattle auction has an estimated 13,500 head for sale for today, which is well above last week and the same week last year Early demand has been noted as good.
CFTC Commitment of Traders data showed spec funds adding 7,004 contracts to their net long at 122,400 contracts in live cattle futures and options as of Tuesday. In Feeder cattle, managed money added 2,119 contracts to their net long as of 12/3 to 18,854 contracts.
USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were back higher in the Monday AM report. Choice boxes were up $2.27 to $314.31/cwt, with Select $2.60 higher @ $279.33. USDA estimated last week’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 614,000 head through Saturday. That was 14,20 head below the same week last year.
Dec 24 Live Cattle are at $188.500, up $1.125,
Feb 25 Live Cattle are at $187.600, up $1.425,
Apr 25 Live Cattle are at $188.925, up $0.625,
Jan 25 Feeder Cattle are at $256.225, up $0.400
Mar 25 Feeder Cattle are at $255.250, up $0.575
Apr 25 Feeder Cattle are at $256.225, up $0.650
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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