Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle futures weakened Tuesday with technical pressure, lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices and political uncertainty related to the mid-term elections.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.06 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.64 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on light demand in Nebraska through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Early dressed delivered sales were $12 lower at $340/cwt. FOB live prices there last week were mostly $224.

Trade was limited on light demand in the western Corn Belt. Although too few transactions to...

Cattle futures sought stability Monday after the previous session’s free fall.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 53¢ lower, except for $1.97 higher at the back of the board. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 98¢ 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.

FOB live prices last week were $225/cwt. in the South Central region with no previous-week comparison. Prices were $4 to $4.50 lower in Nebraska at mostly $224 and $3 lower in the west...

Cattle futures closed sharply lower Friday, weighed down by a host of factors, including bearish outside market, week-end and month-end positioning, uncertainty over next week’s mid-term elections, weaker negotiated cash fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values, etc.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $4.95 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $10.01 lower. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $8.03 lower and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $14.32 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on light to moderate demand in the South Central region through Fr...

Cattle futures were mixed to lower on Thursday with profit taking, the week’s lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices, weaker wholesale beef values and likely month-end position squaring.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 50¢ lower, except for 2¢ higher in away-Dec.

Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 46¢ lower in four contracts to an average of 44¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Based on last established trade, FOB li...

Cattle futures closed lower on Tuesday with profit taking and lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.38 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.52 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on light to moderate demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Early dressed sales in Nebraska were $6-$8 lower at $350-$352/cwt. FOB live sales there last week were $228-$228.50.

In the western Corn Belt, early FOB live trades were mainly $3 lower at...

Cattle futures closed mixed on Tuesday with some potential profit taking and oversold conditions.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 48¢ lower, except for 12¢ higher in spot Oct.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 94¢ higher (7¢ to $2.70 higher), except for an average of 74¢ lower in the back to contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were generally $1-$3 higher in Nebraska at 228-$228.50/cwt. and $3 higher in th...

Cattle futures closed higher, but less than many would have expected, given last week’s stronger cash fed cattle prices and the friendly Cattle on Feed report.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 78¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.04 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were generally $1-$3 higher in Nebraska at 228-$228.50/cwt. and $3 higher in the western Cron Belt at mainly $227. Dressed delivered pri...

Cattle futures closed mostly higher Friday, ahead of the monthly Cattle on Feed report which turned out to be market friendly (see below).

Live Cattle futures were an average of 28¢ higher, except for unchanged and 10¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.34 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.16 higher and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.48 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

The pr...

Cattle futures softened Thursday on likely profit taking and weaker wholesale beef prices. Depending on the projections considered, analysts peg September placements about 8-9% less year over year with September marketings down about 7% for  an on-feed inventory Oct. 1 about even.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 52¢ lower except for 2¢ higher in near Dec. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.99 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices wer...

Cattle futures crawled higher Tuesday, supported by last week’s stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices and optimism about further gains this week. Keep in mind that the monthly Cattle on Feed report is due out Friday.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.39 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.21 higher, except for 70¢ lower in the back contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $225-$227/cwt...

Cattle futures continued mostly higher on Monday, led by Feeder Cattle and supported by last week’s stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 22¢ higher, except for an average of 15¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.43 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $3-$5 higher in Nebraska at 225-$227/cwt. and mostly $4 high...

Cattle futures gained on Friday, helped by stronger cash fed cattle prices and continued weakness in Corn.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.46 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher, except for 5¢ lower in looming Nov.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on good demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Based on the last established trade for the week, FOB live prices were mainly $5 higher in Nebraska at mostly $225/cwt. and mostly $2-$4 higher in the western Cron Belt at mainly $222-$224. Dr...

Cattle futures gained on Thursday, helped by the early promise shown in cash fed cattle trade.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.77 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.78 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in Nebraska through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early dressed trades at $345-$355.

Trade was limited on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early dressed sales...

Cattle futures were mostly lower Wednesday, awaiting the week’s negotiated cash fed cattle direction.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 84¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.86 lower, except for 12¢ higher in the back contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $222/cwt. in Nebraska and mostly $220 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $345.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.35 high...

Cattle futures were mixed on Monday, mostly retaining the previous session’s strong gains.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 31¢ higher, except for unchanged to an average of 39¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 38¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were steady to $2 higher in Nebraska at mostly $222/cwt. and steady to $1 lower in the western Corn belt at mo...

Cattle futures rallied on Friday as Corn futures tanked on USDA’s latest production estimates (see below).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.73 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $7.09 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $10.29 higher and Live Cattle futures closed an average of $5.01 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were steady to $2 higher in Nebraska at mostly $222/cw...

Cattle futures weakened on Thursday as traders eyed softer wholesale beef values, volatile outside markets and waited for the weeks cash fed cattle price direction.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 85¢ lower, except for 30¢ higher in spot Oct.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.40 lower, except for 30¢ higher in spot Oct.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early FOB live sales the...

Cattle futures took a breather on Wednesday with likely profit taking from the previous day’s rally.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 41¢ lower, except for an average of 22¢ higher in three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.22 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices last week were $220-$222/cwt. in Nebraska and mostly $219-220 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $345 in Nebraska and $345-$35...

Cattle futures took a strong step higher Tuesday, buoyed by outside markets and the early-week increase in Choice wholesale beef values. There could also have been some knee-jerk reaction to President Trump’s executive order to waive penalties and defer taxes for highway use of red-dye diesel for the remainder of the year, but plenty of ambiguity surrounds the details in the order.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.48 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.21 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North th...

Cattle futures continued lower on Monday, with last week’s wobbly cash fed cattle prices and lower wholesale beef values.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.34 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.96 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices last week were mainly steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at $220-222/cwt. and mostly unevenly steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at mainly $219-$222. Dressed delivered prices we...

Cattle futures weakened Friday, with sharply lower week-end wholesale beef prices and wobbly negotiated cash fed cattle prices.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.05 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.74 lower.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 71¢ lower, except for 32¢ higher in near Dec. During the same period, Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.22 higher, except for an average of 56¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly light on moderate to good demand in the North through Fri...

Cattle futures held their own on Thursday, despite sluggish negotiated cash fed cattle trade and a step lower in wholesale beef values.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 58¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.84 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on good demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices were mainly $2 lower in Nebraska at mostly $220/cwt. and mostly steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at mainly $218-$222. Compared to last week, dressed delivered p...

Cattle futures gained Wednesday, helped by lower Corn futures.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.90 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.58 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some FOB live trades in Nebraska at $219-$219.50/cwt. and some dressed delivered trades in the western Corn Belt at $348-$352.

So far this week, dressed delivered prices in Nebraska are steady to $3 higher at $348...

Cattle futures were mixed to mainly higher on Tuesday.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 11¢ lower to an average of 28¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.62 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand in Nebraska to mostly inactive on light demand in the western Corn Belt through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early dressed delivered trades in Nebraska at $348-$350/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $222/cwt. in Ne...

Cattle futures softened Monday, pressured by bearish outside markets, along with month-end and quarter-end positioning. 

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 80¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.42 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were mainly steady to $1 lower in Nebraska at mostly $222/cwt. and mostly $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at mainly $220/cwt. Dressed delivered prices were steady to $5 lower at $345-$350.

La...

Cattle futures closed higher Friday and for the week with strength from tight numbers, higher cash feeder cattle prices and stronger wholesale beef values. 

Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.28 higher, except for 20¢ lower in waning spot Oct. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.01 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.47 higher, and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $14.06 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was light on moderate demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For th...

Cattle futures boomeranged back Wednesday, helped by oversold conditions and lower corn futures prices. 

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.31 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.02 higher, except for 87¢ lower in waning spot Sep.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $222-$223/cwt. in Nebraska and mainly $222 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $350.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.58 lo...

Cattle futures pulled back Tuesday, with some likely profit taking from the previous session’s strong gains. 

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.90 lower.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.94 lower, except unchanged in the front contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $222-$223/cwt. in Nebraska and mainly $222 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $350.

Choice boxed bee...

Cattle futures stepped confidently higher Monday, buoyed by Friday’s Cattle on Feed report with placements 9.2% less year over year and 6.5% less than pre-report estimates with snug supplies ahead (see below). 

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $5.06 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $8.31 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in the North through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $1 lower in Nebraska at mainly $222-$223/cwt. and mostly steady to $1 lower in the wes...

Cattle futures sputtered Friday and ended the week lower with apparent squeamishness about the Cattle on Feed report that was published after the session and wonderment about the impact of next week’s resumption of Mexican feeder cattle imports through the port of entry at Santa Teresa, New Mexico Sept. 24. Turned out that the Cattle on Feed report was friendly (see below) and could support a bounce higher when the new week begins.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 42¢ lower, except for an average of 24¢ higher in the front three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an aver...

Cattle futures were lower again Thursday, with steady to lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices and likely positioning ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report. Depending on the estimates considered, analysts expect August placements to be down about 3%, August marketing to be about 4% less and the Sept. 1 cattle on feed inventory to be about 2% higher year over year.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.52 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.25 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light-to-moderate on moderate demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to...

Cattle futures softened further Wednesday, pressured by bearish outside markets, and likely profit taking as traders await the week’s negotiated cash fed cattle direction.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.79 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.10 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were mostly $223-$224/cwt. in Nebraska and mostly $222-$223 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mainly $350.

Choice bo...

Cattle futures were lower Tuesday with likely profit taking from the recent gains.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.70 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.43 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was inactive on light demand in the North through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were steady to $6 higher in Nebraska at mostly $223-$224/cwt. and $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at mostly $222-$223. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $5 higher at mainly $350.

Choice boxed beef cutout...

Cattle futures ended Friday and the week higher, supported by the step higher in negotiated cash fed cattle prices and lower grain futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.33 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.56 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.35 higher, and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $12.13 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was moderate on good demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were $1-$6 higher in Nebraska...

Cattle futures strengthened on Thursday, supported by stronger cash feeder cattle prices and thoughts that negotiated cash fed cattle prices could follow suit.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 84¢ higher, except for unchanged in two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.74 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle ranged from mostly inactive on light demand in Nebraska to mostly inactive on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $218-$223/cwt. in Nebraska a...

Cattle futures mainly held or extended gains on Wednesday, in the face of another day of bearishness in outside markets.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 51¢ lower, except for an average of 12¢ higher in two contracts. They were an average of $3.46 higher Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.15 higher, except for an average of $1.00 lower in the back contract. They were an average of $4.85 higher on Wednesday.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was mostly inactive on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Wednesday afternoon, ac...

Cattle futures closed mixed Friday on caution ahead of the three-day weekend.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 99¢ lower, except for an average of 11¢ higher in the back three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 60¢ higher, except for an average of 85¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 64¢ higher, from 7¢ higher toward the back to $1.22 higher in spot Oct. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.84 higher week to week on Friday.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was limite...

Cattle futures finally bounced higher Thursday, supported by oversold conditions and some renewed strength in cash prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.32 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.50 higher.  

Negotiated cash fed cattle was light on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. So far this week, FOB live prices are $218/cwt. and dressed delivered prices are $345. There is no established trade in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.88 lower Thursday afternoon a...

Cattle futures continued trying to carve a bottom Wednesday, with pressure including steady to lower cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.38 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 38¢ lower to an average of 67¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska to light on light to moderate demand in the western Corn Belt through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. So far this week, FOB live prices are steady to $4 lower at $218/cwt. Dressed delivered pr...

Cattle futures were lower Tuesday amid struggling cash fed cattle prices and higher feed costs.

Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.14 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.42 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, FOB live prices were $218-$222/cwt. and dressed delivered prices were mostly $345. There was no established trade in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.93 higher Tuesday afternoon at $379.75/cwt. Select was $1.96...