Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle futures plumbed lower Friday, with continued concern about a potential strike at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colo., lower cash fed cattle prices, bearish outside markets, as well as month-end profit taking and technical selling. Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.49 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $7.51 [...]

Cattle futures stepped lower Thursday, pressured by wariness over a potential strike at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, CO and softer early cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.84 lower, except for unchanged in expiring Feb. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.05 lower. [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Wednesday, helped along by another day of higher wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.19 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.99 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday [...]

Cattle futures firmed and crept higher Tuesday without the previous day's pressure from outside markets and supported by higher wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 36¢ higher, except for 7¢ lower in near Apr. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 59¢ higher, except for an average [...]

Cattle futures closed lower again Monday, pressured by bearish outside markets and despite Friday's neutral-to-friendly Cattle on Feed report. Uncertainty also lingered about the potential strike at the JBS plant in Greeley, Colo. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.59 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.16 lower. [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday, pressured by the lack of direction from negotiated cash fed cattle trade before the close, the Cattle on Feed report (see below) issued after the close of trade and wariness over the union at the JBS plant in Greeley voting whether to strike. Live Cattle futures were an average [...]

Cattle futures meandered in two-sided trading with thoughts of steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices this week and likely positioning ahead of Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report. Depending on the estimates, analysts peg January feedlot placements 4% less, January marketings 13% less and the Feb. 1 inventory of cattle on feed down [...]

Cattle futures mostly edged higher Wednesday, maintaining the previous session's strong gains and expectations for steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 11¢ higher, except for unchanged to an average of 15¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Tuesday, supported by last week's stronger cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were $1.96 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.01 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the [...]

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 live prices were mostly $3 higher in the Southern Plains at mainly $248/cwt., mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mainly $345 and $3-$4 higher in the [...]

Cattle futures eased mostly lower Friday, awaiting full development of the week's cash fed cattle trade. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 21¢ lower, except for 57¢ higher in spot Feb. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 33¢ higher, except for 27¢ lower in three contracts. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures eased lower Thursday, awaiting the week's cash fed cattle direction and more bearish outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 13¢ lower to an average of 23¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 63¢ lower, except for 10¢ higher in one contract. [...]

Cattle futures rose Wednesday with expectations of steady to higher cash fed cattle prices again this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.08 higher ($3.45 higher near the front to $1.17 higher at the back). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.11 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade [...]

Cattle futures eased lower Tuesday amid two-sided trade and waiting this week's cash fed cattle direction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 55¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.06 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through [...]

Cattle futures mostly extended gains Monday, buoyed by last week's stronger cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 68¢ higher, except for 47¢ lower and unchanged in the back two contracts.   Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 92¢ higher, except for $1.02 lower in the [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, supported by steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices, recovering from the previous session's sell-off tied to news union workers voted to authorize a strike at the JBS beef packing plant in Greeley, Colo., though no timetable was set for the strike. Live Cattle futures closed an average of [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Monday, buoyed by last week's stronger cash fed cattle prices and the friendly Cattle inventory report (see below). Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.72 higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.67 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in [...]

Cattle futures closed lower at the end of a volatile session Friday. Although cash fed cattle prices improved, wariness remained ahead of the semiannual Cattle inventory report (see below), while traders squared books for end of the week and month. Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.11 lower (47¢ to $2.57 lower), except [...]

Cattle futures eased mostly lower Thursday with likely profit taking, the lack of direction in weekly cash fed cattle trade and positioning ahead of USDA's Cattle report due to be published on Friday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.o5 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.27 lower, [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, helped by early cash fed cattle bids on the upper end of last week's range. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.10 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.93 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all [...]

Cattle futures meandered Tuesday, awaiting weekly cash direction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 24¢ lower, except for an average of 2¢ higher in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 29¢ lower in five contracts to an average of 19¢ higher. Negotiated [...]

Last week's stronger cash fed cattle prices helped Cattle futures continue higher on Monday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.10 higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.35 higher Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all cattle feeding regions through [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday with stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values' continued gains. Reaction to the latest Cattle on Feed report could vary (see below). Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.18 higher (67¢ higher toward the back to $2.52 higher in spot Feb). Feeder Cattle futures were [...]

Cattle futures were narrowly mixed Friday, awaiting the week's cash fed cattle direction and likely positioning ahead of Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 18¢ lower, except for unchanged to an average of 3¢ higher in three contracts.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Wednesday, supported by more bullish outside markets, recently higher wholesale beef values and likely positioning ahead of Friday's monthly Cattle on Feed report, which many expect to be bullish. Estimates ahead of the report see December placement down about 5%, December marketings about 2% more due to an extra marketing [...]

Cattle futures firmed Tuesday and regained some of the steep losses from the previous session, which was tied to the unfounded rumor of New World screwworm in the U.S. Gains to start the week were likely limited to bearish outside markets (see below). Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.17 [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon. Last week, FOB live prices were $233/cwt. in Kansas, mostly $233 in Nebraska and mostly $232 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $365 in Nebraska and $363-$365 in the western Corn [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday with likely technical selling and profit taking ahead of the three-day weekend magnified by confirmation of more cases of New World screwworm (NWS) near the Texas border and an unconfirmed rumor of a case discovered on this side of the U.S. border. Live Cattle futures closed an average of [...]

Cattle futures resumed higher Thursday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.62 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.76 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB [...]

Cattle futures softened Wednesday ahead of the week's negotiated cash fed cattle trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.28 lower.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.17 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according [...]

Cattle futures closed strongly higher Tuesday. Support included the sharp decrease in Corn futures, higher wholesale beef values and increasing optimism about higher cash fed cattle prices this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.36 higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.42 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle [...]

Cattle futures were higher Monday helped by the plunge in Corn futures, which was tied to the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (see below). Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 82¢ higher (30¢ to $1.65 higher). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.50 higher. Negotiated cash fed [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday on likely week-end profit taking. Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.06 lower (65¢ lower at the back to $1.55 lower in spot Jan). Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.74 lower. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.12 higher (5¢ [...]

Cattle futures eased higher Thursday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.35 higher.   Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.51 higher (67¢ higher toward the back to $2.95 higher in spot Jan). Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on light demand in Kansas to light on [...]

Cattle futures eased lower Wednesday with likely profit taking and awaiting the week's cash fed cattle trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.56 lower ($2.10 lower toward the front to 65¢ lower at the back. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.19 lower ($2.47 to $4.50 lower). Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures expanded gains Tuesday, led by Feeder Cattle and strong cash. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average 80¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.31 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 continued higher Monday, following the significant bounce higher during the previous session and supported by last week's higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices and the recent bounce in wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average $1.14 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.82 higher. Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures broke higher Friday buoyed by stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices and a boost in wholesale beef values. Live Cattle futures closed an average $3.58 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $7.91 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.63 higher, and Feeder Cattle [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Wednesday amid light holiday-trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average $1.07 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.02 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last [...]

Cattle futures gained on Tuesday, led once again by Feeder Cattle. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average $1.73 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.88 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural [...]

Cattle futures were mainly higher Monday, led by Feeder Cattle. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average 47¢ higher, except for an average of 43¢ lower in the front three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.07 higher (47¢ higher at the back to $1.55 higher near the front). Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures closed mainly higher Friday, supported by firm negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Live Cattle futures  closed an average of $1.06 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of $1.54 higher. Week to week on Friday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.95 higher. Live Cattle futures closed an [...]

Cattle futures sputtered during Wednesday's holiday-shortened session. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 75¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 26¢ lower in five contracts to an average of 32¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska to [...]

Cattle futures were lower Tuesday with profit taking and floundering wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.03 lower (7¢ lower toward the back to $2.22 lower at the front), except for 10¢ higher in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.48 lower. Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Monday, supported by Friday's friendly Cattle on Feed report. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 91¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.13 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday and for the week, helped by holding recent gains in cash fed cattle prices and higher wholesale beef values on the day. The monthly Cattle on Feed report (see below) should help optimism. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.83 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were unevenly steady in both regions at $228/cwt. Dressed delivered prices in Nebraska were $3 higher at mostly $358. Although too few to trend, there [...]

Cattle futures were lower Wednesday with overbought conditions and some likely profit taking. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 79¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 92¢ lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according [...]

Feeder Cattle futures led Live Cattle higher on Tuesday. Toward the close, Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.15 higher. Live Cattle futures were an average of 30¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing [...]

Cattle futures closed mostly higher Monday with follow-through support from last week's higher cash prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 56¢ higher (30¢ to $1.12 higher). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 43¢ higher, except for an average of 64¢ lower in the back two contracts. Negotiated cash [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, based on the latest established trade, FOB live prices were $230/cwt., which was $5 higher in Kansas, $5-$10 higher in Nebraska, and $10 higher in the [...]