Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle futures rebounded from the early-week sell-down on Thursday, supported by stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices and higher post-holiday wholesale beef values. Lower Corn futures added support. Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $1.82 higher ($1.50 to $2.17 higher). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.10 higher. Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures were lower again Wednesday with funds likely taking more risk off the table following the previous session's jolt. Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $1.16 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.65 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand [...]

Cattle futures were lower Monday but off session lows by the end of the day, despite last week's higher cash fed cattle prices and neutral Cattle on Feed report. There were some unfounded rumors of unfounded rumors that could have spooked funds and set loose the algos early in the session, but there's no [...]

Cattle futures were mostly higher again Friday, buoyed by the week's stronger cash fed cattle prices and seasonally stronger wholesale beef values. Live cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ higher, except for an average of 9¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.06 higher. Week to week on [...]

Cattle futures were higher Thursday, supported by the week's stronger cash fed cattle trade and perhaps some positioning ahead of Friday's Cattle on Feed report. Pre-report estimates peg April placements and marketings about 3% lower year over year, with the May 1 inventory of cattle on feed down about 1.5%. Live cattle futures were [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on good demand in Kansas, Nebraska and the Western Corn Belt through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early FOB live trades in Nebraska at $229-$230/cwt. and a few dressed delivered sales at $360-$370. Likewise, there [...]

Wholesale beef prices surged higher Tuesday. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.93 higher Tuesday afternoon at $358.75/cwt. Select was 85¢ higher at $344.96. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to [...]

Stronger wholesale beef values and last week's firm to higher cash fed cattle prices helped lift Live Cattle futures Monday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 89¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were mixed, from an average of 35¢ lower to an average of 13¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade [...]

Cattle futures firmed Friday and gained back some of the steep losses from the previous two sessions, helped along by a bounce in wholesale beef values. Live Cattle futures were an average of 91¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.01 higher (62¢ to $1.77 higher). Week to week on Friday, Live [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices gained on Thursday with moderate trade and good demand in the Texas Panhandle, Nebraska and the western Corn Belt, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $1-$2 higher in the Texas Panhandle at mostly $220/cwt., $1-$4 higher in Nebraska at $229 and $1-$2 higher in the [...]

Cattle futures hit new highs Wednesday and then reversed to close sharply lower with likely profit taking and skittishness over the overbought status and price levels. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.38 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.98 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from [...]

Cattle futures eased lower Tuesday with likely profit taking from the previous session's strong gains. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher (35¢ to $1.17 higher), except for an average of 32¢ lower in the front three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 41¢ higher, except for [...]

Cattle futures popped higher Monday, helped along by more bullish outside markets and news that the U.S. shuttered the Southern border to cattle, bison and horses once again May 11 due to the spread of New World screwworm. “The protection of our animals and safety of our nation's food supply is a national security [...]

Cattle futures gained early in Friday's session and then closed lower with likely profit taking. Live Cattle futures were an average of 63¢ lower, except for 42¢ higher in spot Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.45 lower, except for 50¢ higher in spot May. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle [...]

Cattle futures gained Thursday with higher cash fed cattle prices and stronger Choice wholesale beef values.   Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.22 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.83 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light to moderate on very good demand in Nebraska and [...]

Cattle futures were lower Wednesday but pared losses as the session wore on, as traders took a breather from recent contract highs. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 64¢ lower, except for 5¢ higher in away Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 69¢ lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle [...]

Lower outside markets helped keep Cattle futures in check Tuesday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were unchanged to an average of 21¢ higher, except for 7¢ lower in spot Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were unchanged to an average of 22¢ higher, except for 52¢ lower in spot May. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Monday with follow-through support from last week's stronger cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.43 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.05 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, continuing to ride bullish fundamentals and stronger cash prices. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.88 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.38 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.25 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.85 [...]

Cattle futures were mainly lower Thursday, despite the previous day's surge in cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of 52¢ lower, except for an average of 79¢ higher in the front two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.39 lower, except for 47¢ higher in [...]

Cattle futures were higher Monday, supported by another week of stronger cash fed cattle prices and a day of sharply higher wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 83¢ (20¢ higher toward the back to $1.50 higher at the front). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 51¢ [...]

Cattle futures were narrowly mixed to higher Friday, supported by the week's stronger outside markets and the prospects for negotiated cash fed cattle prices retaining recent gains. Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from unchanged to an average of 12¢ lower in four contracts, to an average of 34¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed [...]

Cattle futures were higher Thursday, supported by stronger outside markets and the prospects for steady to higher cash fed cattle prices this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 51¢ higher, except for 2¢ lower in near Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 65¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, helped along by firmer outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 89¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 73¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand in Kansas to a standstill elsewhere through Wednesday afternoon, [...]

Cattle futures rebounded Tuesday, following outside markets higher just they followed them lower the previous day. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.94 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.50 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Monday, pressured by the sinking equities and perhaps added pressure from last week's Cattle on Feed report which indicated more placements than expected last month. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 34¢ lower, except for 20¢ higher in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures were an [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand in the western Corn Belt to inactive on very light demand elsewhere through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, FOB live prices were $4-$6 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $208-$210/cwt., $6 higher in Kansas at $210, $4-$6 [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were moderate in the Texas Panhandle through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $4 higher at $208/cwt. Elsewhere, trade was limited on light-to-moderate demand with too few transactions to trend. However, private sources were reporting higher prices in the North, too. [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, continuing to backfill the gap left by tariff pressures. Positioning ahead of the monthly Cattle on Feed report — due out Thursday rather than the usual Friday — could have lent added support. Estimates ahead of the report peg March placements about 3.5% higher year over year and the [...]

Cattle futures were higher again Tuesday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 70¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.44 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB live prices were [...]

Cattle futures were higher again Monday, as outside markets continued to improve. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.36 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.22 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, following stronger equity markets. Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.15 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.47 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 80¢ lower in the front three contracts to an average of $2.45 higher. [...]

Cattle futures were lower Thursday, giving back a fair bit of the previous day's gains as equity markets lost ground. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.09 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.50 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on slow to moderate demand in [...]

Cattle futures continued lower Monday as equity markets unraveled further. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.66 lower and  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.18 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand in Kansas to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to [...]

Cattle futures plunged lower Friday with follow-through, tariff-related pressure — limit-down in some contracts. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.00 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $7.81 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light on light demand in the Southern Plains to light on moderate demand in the [...]

Steep and far-ranging U.S. tariffs announced by the Trump administration rattled equities and Cattle futures markets Thursday. Along with continued uncertainty surrounding the tariffs and their implementation, worries abound that they will increase inflation, disrupt supply chains and slow economic growth the world over. Cattle futures sank Thursday. Tariffs themselves may have little impact [...]

Cattle futures continued to grind higher Wednesday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 98¢ higher, from 47¢ to $1.95 higher toward the front of the board. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.49 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand in the [...]

Cattle futures were higher Tuesday on the first day of the new quarter, supported by strengthening wholesale beef values. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $6.96 higher Tuesday afternoon at $342.22/cwt. Select was $2.06 higher at $322.07. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.06 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an [...]

Cattle futures were mixed to lower Monday with likely month-end and quarter-end profit taking. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 82¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 58¢ lower to an average of 19¢ higher.  Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday with likely profit taking but were higher week to week. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 62¢ lower, from 12¢ lower at the back to $1.00 lower toward the front. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 82¢ lower.  Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed [...]

Cattle futures rose Thursday, supported by recent wholesale beef price strength and perhaps speculation that cattle feeders can push cash fed cattle prices higher again this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.96 higher across a broad range of 60¢ higher at the back to $3.12 higher toward the [...]

Cattle futures mostly gained Wednesday, helped along by bullish Choice wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 39¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.25 higher, except for 15¢ lower in waning Mar.  Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on very light demand in the [...]

Cattle futures closed mostly a touch lower Tuesday but off of session lows as traders await this week's cash fed cattle direction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 33¢ lower, except for an average of 56¢ higher in the front two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 36¢ [...]

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Monday, following early-session strength supported by last week's strong cash fed cattle prices and Friday's friendly Cattle on Feed report. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 42¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 23¢ lower, except for an average of 16¢ higher in [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was active on very good demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $7-$8 higher in the Southern Plains at $210/cwt. and $6-$9 higher in the North at $212-$215. Dressed delivered prices were $10 higher at $335. [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Thursday, supported by recently higher wholesale beef values and the increasing likelihood of higher cash fed cattle prices for the week. Through mid-morning Friday, Cattle futures were lower ahead of the monthly Cattle on Feed report. On Thursday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.36 higher. Feeder Cattle futures [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, supported by surging wholesale beef values, firmer outside markets and possibly an eye toward Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report. Pre-report estimates are for February feedlot placements to be about 14% less year over year, February marketing to be down about 8% and the March 1 cattle on feed [...]

Cattle futures were narrowly mixed Tuesday with pressure from outside markets and wonderment about this week's cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from unchanged to 12¢ lower in five contracts to an average of 13¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 20¢ higher, except for [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Monday, supported by last week's bounce in cash fed cattle prices and stronger wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.77 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.74 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle [...]

Cash fed cattle prices helped lead Cattle futures higher Friday and for the week. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light to moderate on good demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $3-$5 higher at $205/cwt. in a light test. Dressed delivered prices in [...]

Cattle futures were mixed Thursday with support from growing optimism about cash fed cattle prices this week but pressure from bearish outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were mixed, from unchanged to an average of 22¢ lower in four contracts to an average of 48¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average [...]