Live cattle futures are up $1.97 to $3.30 across most contracts at midday. Early bids of $228 are being reported which is just slightly lower than the $230-231 trade from last week. Feeder cattle futures are showing front month gains of $2.45 to $5.75, with November and beyond down 45 cents to $1.95. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down another $2.28 on July 24 to $347.37. Live cattle will have expanded limits of $12.75 today, with feeders at $16.
NASS Crop Progress data showed the US pasture rating at 29% gd/ex, steady with the week prior. The Brugler500 index was down 1 point to 270.
