Live cattle futures saw weakness across the board on Monday, down $1.87 to $4.32 at the close. Open interest was up 1,226 contracts on Monday, mainly in the deferreds, as October dropped 1,449 contracts. Cash trade was quiet on Monday, with most compiling showlists. Feeder cattle futures were lower, with losses of $1.17 to $5.37 on the day. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down another $2.53 on August 21 to $338.47. Monday’s weekly OKC feeder cattle auction had 3,324 head sold, with sales on feeders down $4-10 on steers, with some down $15 and $2-8 lower on heifers. Imports from Mexico resumed today via the Douglas, AZ port. On Monday, USDA announce they will open a second port crossing in 30 days.
NASS Crop Progress data showed the US pasture rating at 21% gd/ex, down 2 with the week prior. The Brugler500 index fell 4 points to 252.
