Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

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 [...]

Cattle futures gained more steam on Tuesday, supported by the recent bounce in wholesale beef values and thoughts cash fed cattle prices could gain this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.52 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $6.56 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive [...]

Cattle futures bounced higher Monday, buoyed by positive outside markets and falling Crude Oil futures, in response to the announced resolution to the U.S.-Iran war. Keep in mind that Juneteenth on Friday shortens the trading week and that the monthly Cattle on Feed report will be published Thursday. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures [...]

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in Kansas through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Elsewhere, trade was limited on moderate demand. Although too few transactions to trend in those regions, there were some FOB live trades at $256/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $255 in Nebraska and [...]

Cattle futures ground higher Thursday with fundamental strength. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.61 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.44 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. [...]

Cattle futures were mostly higher Wednesday with increased chances of steady to higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices this week. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.14 higher, except for 10¢ lower in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher, except for unchanged to 20¢ [...]

Cattle futures strengthened Tuesday, perhaps with renewed focus on tightening supplies. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.11 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.68 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 softened Monday with likely profit taking and positioning. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $4.16 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.54 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the [...]

Cattle futures extended gains Friday. Live Cattle futures were an average of 79¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 53¢ higher, except for 25¢ lower in the back contract. Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.01 higher, and Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.22 [...]

Cattle futures roared higher Thursday, despite confirmation of New World screwworm in the United States. Apparently, the eventuality was priced into the market and removing the uncertainty added buyer confidence. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $10.68 higher, limit up in all but three contracts. Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.85 [...]

Cattle futures were lower Wednesday, pressured by reports that USDA was testing two calves from Texas for New World screwworm infection, as well as negative outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.05 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.61 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures were higher Monday, helped along by stronger outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.42 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.22 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday, pressured by lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices, seasonally reluctant wholesale beef values, another New World screwworm case in Mexico creeping closer to the U.S. border, as well as week-end and month-end positioning. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.17 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of [...]

Cattle futures traded both sides Thursday but ended lower, with traders apparently awaiting this week’s negotiated cash fed direction. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.00 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.25 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major [...]

Cattle futures were higher Wednesday, buoyed by stronger wholesale beef values and outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.61 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.42 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Wednesday [...]

Cattle futures closed mixed to slightly higher Tuesday as traders appeared to shrug off Friday’s Cattle on Feed report, or pointing to the fact it was already adequately priced into the market. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 44¢ higher, except for an average of 46¢ lower in three contracts. [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday as managed money appeared to exit positions ahead of the long weekend and in anticipation of bearish feedlot placements, which proved to be the case (see below). Live Cattle futures closed an average of 67¢ lower, except for an average of 20¢ higher in the front two contracts. Feeder [...]

Cattle futures were sharply lower Thursday with no apparent headlines for fuel. Pressure included steady to lower negotiated cash fed cattle prices, softer wholesale beef values and likely positioning ahead of Friday's Cattle on Feed report and the three-day weekend. Depending on the source, pre-report estimates are for April placement to be up 3% [...]

Cattle futures were mixed Wednesday. Feeder Cattle were likely supported by sliding Corn futures, while Live Cattle could have been pressured in part by squeamishness about Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report. Odds favor it showing increased feedlot placements year over year, given the likelihood of drought-driven early placements, as well as the fact [...]

Cattle futures found some footing Tuesday, helped along by higher wholesale prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 79¢ higher (2¢ to $1.30 higher). Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.04 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle [...]

Cattle futures trended lower Monday with pressure including more bearish outside markets and the strong rebound in Corn futures. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 89¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.43 lower (10¢ lower in spot May to $3.10 lower). Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was [...]

Cattle futures retrenched and gained Friday, boosted by the week’s higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Heading into the new week, there could be support from Friday’s late-day news that China appears to have opened the door to renewed beef imports from the U.S. (see below). Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.64 [...]

Cattle futures lost momentum on Thursday, despite higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 34¢ lower, except for an average of $1.96 higher in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.30 lower, except for an average of 35¢ higher in [...]

Cattle futures gained traction from the recent headlines-driven decline, supported by steady to higher negotiated cash fed cattle prices. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.61 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $3.45 higher, except for $1.17 lower in away May. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from [...]

Cattle futures continued lower Tuesday on wonderment about expected reduced  tariffs on beef imports. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.45 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.94 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Friday. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.33 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.43 lower, except for $1.05 higher in spot May. Week to week on Friday, Cattle futures gave back much of the previous week’s gains with Live Cattle an average of $4.04 lower and [...]

Cattle futures closed lower Thursday but off session lows with no obvious driver. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.25 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.87 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was active on very good demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Thursday afternoon, [...]

Cattle futures lost early steam Wednesday but closed narrowly mixed to higher, supported by bullish outside markets. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were narrowly mixed, from an average of 21¢ lower to an average of 37¢ higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 69¢ higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly [...]

Cattle futures were higher Tuesday on fundamental strength and more bullish outside markets. Reports of early steady to higher cash fed cattle prices were also supportive. Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $2.42 higher.  Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.88 higher. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly [...]

Cattle futures closed lower again Monday with follow-through selling supported by more bearish outside markets.   Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.84 lower. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $4.60 lower. Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all major cattle [...]