Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

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 [...]

Cattle futures overcame more government intervention in the cattle business (see below) on Monday to eke out gains with oversold conditions. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 25¢ higher except for an average of $1.07 lower in the back two contracts. [...]

Cattle futures were unable to build on recent gains Friday, bogged down by more political rhetoric. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 92¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.68 lower. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.88 lower, except for an average of 60¢ [...]

Cattle futures continued higher Thursday, boosting hopes that the bottom had been etched. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.79 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.42 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the [...]

Cattle futures firmed and mostly gained Wednesday, supported by oversold conditions.  Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 46¢ higher, except for an average of 42¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.11 higher, except for an average of 94¢ lower in the front two contracts. [...]

Cattle futures continued to unravel Tuesday with follow-through pressure and another significant step lower in negotiated cash fed cattle prices.  Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.76 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.73 lower, except for 22¢ higher in spot Aug. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures opened higher Monday, supported by the lower July feedlot placements in Friday’s Cattle on Feed report but then turned negative with pressure including last week’s lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices and negative psychology surrounding Monday’s re-opening of the port of entry in Douglas, Ariz., to feeder cattle imports from Mexico.  Toward [...]

Cattle futures were able to fade early pressure from President Trump’s announcement to waive tariffs for 90 days on imported beef products for ground beef (see below).  Live Cattle futures closed an average of 78¢ higher, except for an average of 19¢ lower in the front two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average [...]

Cattle futures lost ground Wednesday with pressure including lower early negotiated cash fed cattle prices and surging corn prices.   Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.13 lower, except for 5¢ higher and unchanged at the back. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.64 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle [...]

Cattle futures were mostly higher Tuesday supported by stronger early-week wholesale beef values and perhaps some lift on news that Cargill’s packing facility at Ft. Morgan, Colo., will resume operations. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 72¢ higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 80¢ higher, except for 27¢ [...]

Cattle futures tried to firm Monday after last week’s bearish news but were mostly slightly lower. Live Cattle futures were an average of 13¢ lower, except for an average of 48¢ higher in two nearby contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were mixed from an average of 74¢ lower to an average of 34¢ higher. Cattle [...]

Cattle futures continued lower Friday but closed off session lows. Pressure included lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices for the week and response to Tyson’s Thursday announcement that the company was ending operation of its beef packing facility in Joslin, Ill., its case ready facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah and seeking a buyer for [...]

Cattle futures were lower again, pressured by weaker early cash fed cattle prices and perhaps prescience about news from Tyson later in the day that it was shuttering its packing facility in Joslin, Ill., ending production at its case ready facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah and seeking a buyer for its packing facility in [...]

Cattle futures stepped lower Wednesday, pressured in part the continued decline in open interest. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.48 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.93 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light on moderate demand in Nebraska to mostly inactive on light demand [...]

Cattle futures lost some steam Tuesday but were mostly higher. Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 41¢ lower in the front four contracts to an average of 38¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 64¢ higher, except for 78¢ lower in the front contract. Negotiated cash fed cattle [...]

Cattle futures were mainly higher Friday, helped along by last week’s stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures an average of $1.23 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.09 higher, except for an average of 98¢ lower in the front two contracts. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade [...]

Cattle futures closed mainly higher Friday, helped along by the week’s stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 64¢ higher (17¢ to $1.40 higher), except for an average of 15¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.89 higher. Week [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Thursday, pressured by technical resistance and more negative outside markets, despite stronger cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures an average of $3.45 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.39 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from moderate on moderate demand in Kansas to [...]

Cattle futures ground higher Wednesday, supported by renewed cash market strength. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures an average of $1.19 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.09 higher, except for 53¢ lower in the back contract. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand through Wednesday afternoon, according [...]

Cattle futures were mostly higher Tuesday, helped along by recently stronger  Choice wholesale beef values and bullish outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures an average of $1.22 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.04 higher (5¢ to $3.40 higher), except for an average of 65¢ lower in the back two [...]

Cattle futures edged lower Monday after starting the session stronger, pressured in part by Corn futures gains and last week’s limited negotiated cash fed cattle trade. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures an average of 28¢ lower, except for an average of 41¢ higher in three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of [...]

Cattle futures continued trying to recover from the early-week selloff on Friday. Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 15¢ lower to an average of 39¢ higher, mostly through the front half of the board. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.23 higher. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle [...]

Cattle futures on Thursday continued to retrace higher from the early-week meltdown, with odds increasing for steady to higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.58 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.45 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited [...]

Cattle futures gained traction on Wednesday, as traders move past recent bearish news. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.71 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.18 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to [...]

Live Cattle futures were up and Feeder Cattle futures were mixed Tuesday, following the previous session’s steep decline, tied to USDA’s plans to open the U.S. border to Mexican feeder cattle imports. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.29 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.55 lower, except [...]

Cattle futures were down hard on Monday, in reaction to USDA’s plans to open the U.S. border to Mexican feeder cattle imports. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $6.26 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were mostly limit-down, an average of $10.38 lower across the board. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Friday, clawing back some of the previous weeks’ steep losses with hopes the near bottom has been established. As this week begins, traders will be considering the monthly Cattle on Feed and semi-annul Cattle inventory reports published after markets closed on Friday, as well as the announced phased reopening of [...]

Cattle futures were sharply lower Wednesday with pressure from lower cash fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values as traders eyed the monthly Cattle on Feed and semi-annul Cattle reports due to be published on Friday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.47 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average [...]

Cattle futures finally found some footing Monday after about two weeks of consecutive down days, helped along by firming wholesale beef values and oversold conditions. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.59 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.28 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light to moderate demand in Kansas through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some FOB live trades at $235/cwt. Established trade for the week was $10-$11 lower at $237-$238. Trade was limited on moderate demand in [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate demand in Kansas through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $10-$11 lower at $237-$238/cwt. Trade in the North ranged from limited on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt to inactive on light to moderate demand in Nebraska, with [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Early FBO live trades were mostly $8 lower at mainly $240/cwt. Dressed delivered sales so far this week are $10-$13 lower at mostly $380. Trade was limited on moderate demand in the western [...]

Cattle futures continued to unwind Tuesday with sharply lower Choice wholesale beef values so far this week and last week’s drop in negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.47 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.59 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged [...]

Cattle futures softened further Friday with week’s lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.04 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.63 lower. From Monday through Friday last week, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $4.12 lower, and Feeder Cattle futures were [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $7-$8 lower at $248/cwt. and dressed delivered prices were $10 lower at $393. Trade was limited on moderate demand in Kansas and the western Corn Belt. Although too few [...]

Cattle futures were mixed on Wednesday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 65¢ lower, pressured in part by weakening post-holiday wholesale beef values. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.14 higher, except for an average of 72¢ lower in three contracts with support from the cash market. Negotiated cash [...]

Cattle futures were lower Tuesday, led by Feeder Cattle. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 32¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.62 lower, except for 35¢ higher in spot Aug. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in Kansas and in the North [...]

Cattle futures were narrowly mixed on Monday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 43¢ higher, despite last week’s lower cash fed cattle prices. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 37¢ lower, except for an average of 33¢ higher in two contracts, with recent cash pressure and higher grain futures [...]

Equity and futures markets were closed Friday in observance of Independence Day. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from active on good demand in Kansas to light on moderate demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, FOB live prices were $3 lower in Kansas at [...]

Cattle futures were narrowly mixed Wednesday with traders awaiting more negotiated cash fed direction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 29¢ higher, except for an average of 39¢ lower in two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 29¢ lower through the front half of the [...]

Cattle futures continued lower Tuesday with month-end and quarter-end positioning. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 96¢ lower, except for 80¢ higher in spot Jun and 2¢ higher at the back. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.29 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand [...]

Cattle futures closed lower again Monday with likely continued profit taking and positioning ahead of month-end and quarter-end. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.49 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.16 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade remained largely undeveloped through Friday afternoon. The only established trade for the week, based on USDA reports, was mostly steady FOB live prices in the western Corn Belt at $260/cwt. Late-day private reports suggested unevenly steady prices across a broader area. The previous week, FOB live prices were $258-$260/cwt. [...]

Cattle futures crawled higher Thursday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 49¢ higher, except for 5¢ lower in near Dec. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 66¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Thursday afternoon, according [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.09 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.18 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Last week, [...]

Cattle futures trended lower Tuesday with likely profit taking. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 97¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.06 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural [...]

Cattle futures were higher Monday, responding to last week’s higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices, supportive outside markets and the friendly placement number in Thursday’s Cattle on Feed report. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.69 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.14 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on moderate demand in Nebraska to mostly inactive on light demand elsewhere through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although established trade was undeveloped through Friday afternoon, there were private reports of FOB live bids at $258-$260 in various regions. The previous week, FOB [...]

Cattle futures softened Thursday with the lack of negotiated cash fed cattle direction, positioning ahead of the three-day weekend and monthly Cattle on Feed report (see below), as well as potential profit taking. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.14 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 75¢ lower. [...]

Cattle futures took a breather on Wednesday with likely profit taking and positioning ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 41¢ lower, except for 62¢ higher in spot Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 68¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]