Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

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 [...]

Cattle futures moved lower again on Thursday with follow-through pressure and lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices for the week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 74¢ lower, except for $1.85 higher in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.96 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade [...]

Cattle futures extended losses Wednesday, trading mostly limit-down, as traders hunt for a bottom to the emotionally driven break, tied to President Trumps goal of lowering domestic retail beef prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $7.20 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $9.19 lower. Negotiated cash fed [...]

Queasiness about political intent for the cattle markets and wonderments about resumption of cattle imports from Mexico pressured Cattle futures on Tuesday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.25 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.09 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in [...]

Fundamentals appeared to return to Cattle futures trade Monday as prices gained back some of the recent losses. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.34 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.36 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all cattle feeding regions [...]

Heightened volatility and uncertainty tied to lingering wonderments about President Trump's stated goal to reduce beef prices capped recent gains in Cattle futures on Friday. Month-end position squaring was likely also at play. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.99 lower, except for $1.32 higher in expiring spot Oct. Week to week on [...]

Cattle futures mostly crawled higher Thursday as traders await further direction from this week's negotiated cash fed cattle trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 70¢ higher (from 2¢ higher to $4.10 higher in waning spot Oct. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher, except for an average [...]

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $5.33 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.57 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. So far this week, FOB live prices are [...]

Live Cattle futures firmed and mostly gained Tuesday, while Feeder Cattle futures continued to unwind with long position liquidation. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 71¢ higher, except for an average of 54¢ lower in the front two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $9.61 lower. Negotiated cash [...]

Cattle futures continued to plunge lower Monday, fueled by uncertainty created by the federal government's attempts to lower domestic consumer beef prices (see below). Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $9.14 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $13.22 lower, limit down, except for $9.025 lower in spot Oct. [...]

Cattle futures, continued to firm Tuesday and gain back from last Friday's sharp losses. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.59 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 87¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions [...]

Cattle futures melted down Friday on President Trump's widely reported and vague comments that the White House plans to lower beef prices. Algorithmic trading likely drove the selloff deeper and faster than would have otherwise been the case. Fundamentally speaking and guided by history, government intervention in cattle and beef markets has never been [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on moderate demand in the North to inactive on light demand in the Southern Plains through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some early FOB live sales in Nebraska at $240/cwt. and in the western Corn Belt [...]

Cattle futures paused from the recent surge on Wednesday. Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 13¢ lower in four contracts to an average of 19¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed from an average of 34¢ lower, except for an average of 8¢ higher in three contracts. Cattle futures were mainly [...]

Cattle futures rolled higher Tuesday, supported by cash. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.76 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.31 higher. They're taking a breather so far on Wednesday. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light to moderate demand in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to [...]

Cattle futures continued to churn higher Monday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.12 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.18 higher, except for 12¢ lower in spot Oct. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light to moderate demand in all regions through Monday afternoon, according [...]

Cattle futures started Friday's session lower with traders apparently taking some profits from the week's bullish gains. Then cash fed cattle trade erupted with significantly higher prices and futures were off to the races again. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.45 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.96 higher. Negotiated [...]

Cattle futures continued to climb Thursday supported by fundamental strength and increasing odds of steady to higher cash fed cattle trade this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.75 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.19 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light to [...]

Traders pushed Cattle futures higher Wednesday, supported by increasing odds that wholesale beef values are near their seasonal bottom and eyes apparently fixed on tightening supplies. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.82 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.40 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive [...]

Cattle futures were higher again Tuesday, helped along by the previous day's announcement of another New World screwworm detection in northern Mexico and a day of higher wholesale beef values. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.31 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.71 higher. Negotiated cash fed [...]

Cattle futures bounced higher Monday, likely due in part to the U.S. standing pat on Brazilian beef import tariffs, at least for now. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.33 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.73 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light to [...]

Cattle futures closed higher Friday but continued the back and forth sideways path. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 85¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.64 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 90¢ higher (20¢ higher toward the front to $1.62 higher near [...]

Cattle futures stepped lower Thursday, bowing to softer cash fed cattle prices and the continued seasonal decline in wholesale beef values. Some also suggested conditional FDA approval of an injectable from Zoetis for the prevention and control of New World screwworm might have been part of the pressure, speculating it might mean a quicker [...]

Cattle futures were firm in the deferred contracts Wednesday but weak up front with pressure from lower cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 60¢ higher, except for an average of 38¢ lower in the front two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were mixed, from an average of [...]

Cattle futures, especially Feeder Cattle bounced higher Tuesday, supported by likely month-end and quarter-end position squaring and the quarterly Grain Stocks report (see below). Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.38 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.08 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light [...]