Between late Tuesday and yesterday, negotiated cash fed cattle trade kicked off at higher money. Live trade was $2.50 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $116.50/cwt. and $1-$2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $113-$114. Dressed trade in the North was $2-$4 higher at $180.
Incidentally, there were 459 head offered in the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction and no takers.
Cattle futures closed higher on Wednesday, buoyed by stronger cash fed cattle and a much friendlier Cattle on Feed report than many expected (see below).
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 76¢ higher.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.21 higher.
Wholesale beef values were steady to weak on light to moderate demand and moderate offerings, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 40¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $213.69/cwt. Select was 17¢ lower at $198.26.
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Although closing even to a little higher Wednesday, Major U.S. financial indices were unable to sustain early positive momentum, amid light holiday trade.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed fractionally lower. The S&P 500 closed 8 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 63 points.
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Cattle Markets got a boost from Wednesday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report with fewer cattle placed in October than most expected (feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity). There were 2.25 million head placed in October, which was 6.06% less than last year. Analyst estimates ahead of the report were for an increase of 1% more.
As for placement weights: 51.82% went on feed weighing less than 700 lbs.; 36.17% weighing 700-899 lbs.; 12.00% weighing 900 lbs. or more.
Cattle marketings in October were a touch more than expected at 1.89 million head, which was 4.78% more than last year.
Cattle on feed Nov. 1 of 11.69 million head were 3.18% more than last year, about 1% less than many expected.