Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle futures strengthened Tuesday, perhaps with renewed focus on tightening supplies. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.11 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.68 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the [...]

Cattle futures softened Monday with likely profit taking and positioning. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.16 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.54 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Friday. Live Cattle futures were an average of 79¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 53¢ higher, except for 25¢ lower in the back contract. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.01 higher, and Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.22 [...]

Cattle futures roared higher Thursday, despite confirmation of New World screwworm in the United States. Apparently, the eventuality was priced into the market and removing the uncertainty added buyer confidence. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $10.68 higher, limit up in all but three contracts. Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.85 [...]

Cattle futures were lower Wednesday, pressured by reports that USDA was testing two calves from Texas for New World screwworm infection, as well as negative outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.05 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.61 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures were higher Monday, helped along by stronger outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.42 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.22 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday, pressured by lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices, seasonally reluctant wholesale beef values, another New World screwworm case in Mexico creeping closer to the U.S. border, as well as week-end and month-end positioning. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.17 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of [...]

Cattle futures traded both sides Thursday but ended lower, with traders apparently awaiting this week's negotiated cash fed direction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.00 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.25 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, buoyed by stronger wholesale beef values and outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.61 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.42 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday [...]

Cattle futures closed mixed to slightly higher Tuesday as traders appeared to shrug off Friday's Cattle on Feed report, or pointing to the fact it was already adequately priced into the market. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 44¢ higher, except for an average of 46¢ lower in three contracts. [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday as managed money appeared to exit positions ahead of the long weekend and in anticipation of bearish feedlot placements, which proved to be the case (see below). Live Cattle futures closed an average of 67¢ lower, except for an average of 20¢ higher in the front two contracts. Feeder [...]

Cattle futures were sharply lower Thursday with no apparent headlines for fuel. Pressure included steady to lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices, softer wholesale beef values and likely positioning ahead of Friday's Cattle on Feed report and the three-day weekend. Depending on the source, pre-report estimates are for April placement to be up 3% [...]

Cattle futures were mixed Wednesday. Feeder Cattle were likely supported by sliding Corn futures, while Live Cattle could have been pressured in part by squeamishness about Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report. Odds favor it showing increased feedlot placements year over year, given the likelihood of drought-driven early placements, as well as the fact [...]

Cattle futures found some footing Tuesday, helped along by higher wholesale prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 79¢ higher (2¢ to $1.30 higher). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.04 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle [...]

Cattle futures trended lower Monday with pressure including more bearish outside markets and the strong rebound in Corn futures. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 89¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.43 lower (10¢ lower in spot May to $3.10 lower). Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures retrenched and gained Friday, boosted by the week's higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Heading into the new week, there could be support from Friday's late-day news that China appears to have opened the door to renewed beef imports from the U.S. (see below). Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.64 [...]

Cattle futures lost momentum on Thursday, despite higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 34¢ lower, except for an average of $1.96 higher in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.30 lower, except for an average of 35¢ higher in [...]

Cattle futures gained traction from the recent headlines-driven decline, supported by steady to higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.61 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.45 higher, except for $1.17 lower in away May. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from [...]

Cattle futures continued lower Tuesday on wonderment about expected reduced  tariffs on beef imports. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.45 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.94 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.33 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.43 lower, except for $1.05 higher in spot May. Week to week on Friday, Cattle futures gave back much of the previous week's gains with Live Cattle an average of $4.04 lower and [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Thursday but off session lows with no obvious driver. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.25 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.87 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was active on very good demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Thursday afternoon, [...]

Cattle futures lost early steam Wednesday but closed narrowly mixed to higher, supported by bullish outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 21¢ lower to an average of 37¢ higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 69¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly [...]

Cattle futures were higher Tuesday on fundamental strength and more bullish outside markets. Reports of early steady to higher cash fed cattle prices were also supportive. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.42 higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.88 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly [...]

Cattle futures closed lower again Monday with follow-through selling supported by more bearish outside markets.   Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.84 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.60 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday on likely profit taking from the week's strong gains.  Live Cattle futures closed an average of 77¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.06 lower. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $5.81 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $10.74 [...]

Cattle futures closed mixed to higher Thursday, supported by the week's higher cash fed cattle prices. Live Cattle futures were mixed, from an average of 50¢ lower to an average of 61¢ higher on likely profit taking. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.07 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive [...]

Cattle futures stepped higher Monday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.11 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.49 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Friday, perhaps with fund selling coming to an and after the recent downward correction. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.62 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.83 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 88¢ lower, except for 2¢ higher [...]

Cattle futures closed mostly higher Thursday despite the strike by workers at the Cargill beef packing plant in Fort Morgan, Colo., and with news that the Secretary of Agriculture cancelled her visit to the U.S.-Mexican border, which some had feared would feature an announced timeline for resuming Mexican feeder cattle imports. Live Cattle futures [...]

Cattle futures struggled to firm Wednesday in the wake of a multi-day technical correction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 56¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 47¢ lower to an average of 16¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate demand in Nebraska through [...]

Cattle futures were buoyed by Friday's Cattle on Feed report early in Monday's session but then faded with iffy outside markets and wonderments about this this week's cash trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 65¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.70 lower, except for $1.32 higher [...]

Cattle futures closed lower for a third consecutive session on Friday, but off session lows. Part of the early pressure was likely tied to some worries about the Secretary of Agriculture announcing a timetable for the U.S. border reopening during scheduled remarks in Texas, but she made no mention. Friday's Cattle on Feed report [...]

Cattle futures extended losses Thursday with likely technical selling, profit taking and positioning ahead of Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.21 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.71 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on moderate demand in the [...]

Cattle futures were lower Wednesday. Part of it likely stemmed from rumors, yet again, about the reopening of the U.S. border to Mexican feeder cattle imports. Some profit taking ahead of Friday's Monthly Cattle on Feed report could have also added pressure. Early estimates see March placements and marketings down 6-7% with the April [...]

Cattle futures were higher Tuesday, bolstered by more bullish outside markets and last week's stronger cash trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.47 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.65 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions [...]

Cattle futures were mixed but mostly higher Monday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 53¢ lower to an average of 42¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.43 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, and on the week, buoyed by steady to stronger early negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 96¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.98 higher, with gains likely capped by wonderment about when the U.S. border will re-open to Mexican feeder [...]

Cattle futures eased higher Wednesday with stronger outside markets and growing expectations for steady to stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.04 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.68 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light to moderate demand [...]

Cattle futures rose cautiously on Wednesday, helped along by falling oil prices and higher outside markets tied to the announced ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 85¢ higher, except for an average of 8¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB live prices were $7-$8 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $245-$246/cwt., mostly $8 higher in Kansas at mainly $246 and $10 higher in the North at [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on moderate demand in the Southern Plains to limited on moderate demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, however, FOB live prices were mostly $245/cwt., which was $7 higher in the Southern Plains and $10 higher [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices took a strong step higher Thursday with moderate trade on moderate to good demand in the North, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were mainly $10 higher at mainly $245/cwt. Dressed delivered prices in Nebraska were $13 higher at $385. Although too few to trend, there [...]

Cattle futures continued to gain Wednesday, helped by positive outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 50¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.05 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Tuesday, supported by more bullish outside markets and resurgent wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.02 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.46 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all cattle feeding regions through Tuesday [...]

Cattle futures rose again Monday, building on last week's gains, supported by higher negotiated cash fed cattle trade in the Southern Plains late Friday and firmer wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.15 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.24 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Friday, supported by steady negotiated cash fed cattle prices and a friendly quarterly Hogs and Pigs report indicating the breeding inventory was 1% less year over year. Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.87 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.93 higher. Week to week on Friday, [...]

Cattle futures faded early pressure to make gains Thursday, supported by early negotiated cash fed cattle trade at steady money. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 81¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.56 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light to moderate on moderate to good [...]

Cattle futures were lower Wednesday, pressured by a sharp decrease in Choice wholesale beef values. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $8.22 lower in the afternoon at $391.69/cwt. Select was 99¢ higher at $395.49. The Choice-Select spread was -$3.80. The last time the spread approached that level was in February 2022. Toward the close, [...]

Cattle futures were mostly higher on Tuesday, despite resurgent oil prices and volatile equity markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 47¢ higher, except for an average of 15¢ lower in the front two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.91 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures extended gains on Monday, helped by more bullish outside markets, and despite more placements than expected in Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report.Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 84¢ higher, except for 45¢ lower in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.70 higher. Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures were higher Friday, helped along by steady cash fed cattle prices. Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.34 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.60 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.46 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.96 higher. [...]