Cattle Trading Mostly Higher
Live cattle futures are showing 5 to 35 cent gains in most contracts on Fruday, with August down 15 cents. Cash trade has been quiet this week, with a few lighter sales of $190 in the South. A couple northern sales have been reported at $197-198 live this morning, with $308-310 bids in the beef. Feeder cattle futures are rallying 72 cents to $1.62 on a weaker corn complex. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 67 cents at $259.06 on July 24.
The monthly NASS Cold Storage report reported 410.3 million lb of beef stocks at the end of June. That was 0.11% below the same month in 2023 and a 2.68% decline vs. May 31.
USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Friday AM report. Choice boxes were $2.01 higher at $314.47, with and Select products up $2.99 @ $298.10. The Chc/Sel spread has narrowed to $16.37. USDA estimated Thursday FI slaughter at 120,000 head, putting the week to date at 480.000. That is 5,000 head above last week and 16,768 head below a year ago.
Aug 24 Live Cattle are at $188.750, down $0.150,
Oct 24 Live Cattle are at $188.650, up $0.050,
Dec 24 Live Cattle are at $189.275, up $0.375,
Aug 24 Feeder Cattle are at $259.975, up $1.350
Sep 24 Feeder Cattle are at $259.525, up $1.625
Oct 24 Feeder Cattle are at $258.350, up $1.275
On the date of publication, Alan Brugler did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.