Live cattle futures are showing 97 cent to $2 gains across the front months at midday. Cash trade has picked up a few at $355-360. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no sales on the 1,520 head offered, with bids of $223 to 225. Feeder cattle futures are up a quarter to $1.50 so far. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down another $1.19 on August 18 to $342.36.
Export Sales data from USDA showed beef sales for 2026 at 9,299 MT for the week ending on 8/13. That was a 5-week low. Shipments were tallied at 12,646 MT, which was a 6-week high.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Thursday morning report, with the Chc/Sel narrowing to $28.58. Choice boxes were down $2.85 at $392.14, with Select 61 cents lower to $363.56. USDA’s Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday was estimated at 106,000 head, taking the total to 309,000 head for the week. That is down 1,000 head from the previous week but 25,007 head below the same week last year.
Aug 26 Live Cattle are at $224.400, up $0.975,
Oct 26 Live Cattle are at $218.825, up $1.600,
Dec 26 Live Cattle are at $219.150, up $2.000,
Aug 26 Feeder Cattle are at $337.100, up $0.250
Sep 26 Feeder Cattle are at $329.725, up $0.600
Oct 26 Feeder Cattle are at $323.475, up $1.425
