Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

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 [...]

Cattle futures climbed higher Thursday, led by the surge in cash fed cattle prices. Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.15 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.78 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from moderate on moderate demand in Kansas to light to moderate on moderate demand in the [...]

Cattle futures gained on Wednesday. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.54 higher, except for 2¢ lower in spot Dec. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.13 higher. They're up sharply on Thursday with reports of higher cash fed cattle prices. Through Wednesday afternoon, Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive [...]

Cattle futures wobbled Tuesday with indecisive two-sided trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 25¢ higher, except for 53¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 45¢ lower, except for 32¢ higher in Nov. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand through [...]

Cattle futures stepped back from recent gains on Monday with likely profit taking and technical selling. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 81¢ lower, except for 17¢ higher in spot Dec. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.76 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Friday on positive fundamentals and the week's higher cash fed cattle prices. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.01 higher (95¢ to $5.70 higher). Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average $7.80 higher ($6.50 higher to $11.57 higher in spot Dec). That's an average of [...]

Cattle futures eased were higher once again Thursday, buoyed by 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 $3.60 higher, except for 40¢ lower in the back contract. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate to [...]

Cattle futures eased higher Wednesday amid chatter that cash fed cattle prices could improve this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 91¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.17 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through [...]

Cattle futures surged higher Tuesday with little apparent cause other than oversold conditions and perhaps easing headline pressure, at least for the day. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.75 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.41 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light [...]

Cattle futures tried to hold recent gains Monday but they were mostly lower as traders began the new week and month. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.21 lower (15¢ lower to $2.07 lower). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.68 lower, except for an average of 58¢ higher [...]

Cattle futures extended gains in the holiday-shortened trading session on Friday, supported by stronger cash fed cattle prices at the end of the week and more confidence in the ability of other Nebraska packers to pick up the slack from the plant closure in Lexington (see below). Apparently, some traders also were heartened by [...]

Cattle futures climbed higher Wednesday, suggesting a bottom may have been established. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.63 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.06 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on moderate demand in the North to inactive on light to moderate demand [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices continue to lose ground this week. FOB live sales were $8-$9 lower in Nebraska at $209-$212/cwt. Dressed delivered prices were $10-$15 lower at $330. That was on moderate trade and good demand through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Similarly, FOB live prices were $7-$10 lower in [...]

Cattle futures plowed lower Monday, driven by Friday's news that Tyson will close its packing plant in Lexington, Neb, and decrease production in its Amarillo, Texas plant. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were limit-down $7.25, except for an average of $6.99 lower in the back three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were limit-down $9.25. [...]

Cattle futures continued closed lower Friday, but off session lows. Pressure included the week's softer cash fed cattle prices, news about U.S. tariffs being rolled back on Brazilian beef imports and Tyson announcing closure of its packing plant in Lexington, Neb. Live Cattle futures were an average of 33¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were [...]

Cattle futures continued to unwind Thursday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.01 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.92 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt to limited on moderate demand in Nebraska and Kansas. Trade was [...]

Cattle futures sagged lower Wednesday with pressure from lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices and sluggish wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.60 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.83 lower, except for 90¢ higher in spot Nov. Presumably, USDA will publish the November Cattle [...]

Cattle futures extended gains from the previous session on Monday with a feeling of confidence, despite more negative rhetoric from the White House, aimed at beef packers this time (see below). Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $7.02 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were limit-up $9.250, except for $2.80 higher in [...]

Cattle futures firmed Friday. Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.74 higher. However, they were an average $6.97 lower week to week on Friday. That's about an average $23.09 lower over the past three weeks. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.36 higher on Friday but an average of $13.38 lower week [...]