Negotiated cash fed cattle prices were $2 higher in Kansas Thursday at $117/cwt., with moderate trade and demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). For the week, some early live sales traded at $118 in Nebraska and the Texas Panhandle, but too few to trend.
Live prices last week were at $115 in the Texas Panhandle, $116 in Nebraska and $115-$117 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $185.
Cattle futures were mixed Thursday amid likely profit taking and repositioning.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 50¢ lower, except for 35¢ higher in the back contract.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ higher, except for unchanged and 17¢ lower in the front two contracts.
Wholesale beef prices continue to climb. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.85 higher Thursday afternoon at $249.97/cwt. Select was $6.57 higher at $244.70.
The average dressed steer weight for the week ending Mar. 21 was 901 lbs. according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection repot. That was 3 lbs. lighter than the previous week but 3 lbs. heavier than the same week last year. The average dressed heifer weight of 836 lbs. was 4 lbs. heavier than the previous week but even with the prior year.
Corn futures closed 4¢ to 7¢ higher in the front five new-crop contracts and then fractionally mixed. The two remaining old-crop contracts close 2¢ to 4¢ lower.
Soybean futures closed mixed but mostly 19¢ to 34¢ lower, following the previous session’s limit-up move.
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