Live cattle futures are closing out the week with $1.22 to $2 losses on Friday. Cash trade has picked up this week at $235 live and $370 dressed (North) across the country. Feeder cattle futures are trading with $1.17 gains to 95 cent losses at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up $4.28 on August 5 to $352.93.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Friday morning report. Choice boxes were down $0.36 at $364.22, with Select $1.35 higher to $349.78. The Chc/Sel spread narrowed to $13.09. USDA’s Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Thursday was estimated at 107,000 head, with the week to date total at 413,000 head. That is up 6,000 head from the previous week but 36,284 head below the same week last year.
