Live cattle futures are showing gains of $2.27 to $2.70 so far at midday. Cash trade picked up to $220 Wednesday, firming $2 from Tuesday, with a few dressed sales of $345 in the north. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed dressed sales of $340-341 on 80 of the 2,002 head offered and other bids of $220. Feeder cattle futures are trading with contracts $4 to $5.12 higher and August up $1.05 ahead of expiration. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down another $1.19 on August 25 to $334.27.
Export Sales data from USDA showed beef sales for 2026 at just 9,172 MT for the week ending on 8/20. That was a 6-week low. Shipments were tallied at 11,806 MT, which was also a 6-week low.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Thursday AM report, with the Chc/Sel widening to $23.34. Choice boxes were down $1.66 at $383.47, with Select $2.55 higher to $360.13. USDA estimated Wednesday’s Federally inspected cattle slaughter at 105,000 head, with the weekly total at 310,000 head. That is up 1,000 head from the previous week, but 35,746 head below the same week last year.
Aug 26 Live Cattle are at $220.750, up $2.275,
Oct 26 Live Cattle are at $213.225, up $2.450,
Dec 26 Live Cattle are at $215.200, up $2.625,
Aug 26 Feeder Cattle are at $333.800, up $1.050
Sep 26 Feeder Cattle are at $323.500, up $4.500
Oct 26 Feeder Cattle are at $319.375, up $5.125
