Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ended up fully $2 higher in the Southern Plains on Tuesday at $128/cwt. on a live basis. That and rallying Cattle futures seem to have bolstered cattle feeder resolve to hold packers’ feet to the fire this week.
Through Wednesday afternoon, trade was limited on light demand in all major cattle feeding regions with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Live prices last week were at $124-$126/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, at $126 in Kansas, $127 in Nebraska and at $126-$127 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $200.
The stronger cash outlook and follow-through fundamental support helped Cattle futures take another step higher Wednesday.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.01 higher (17¢ higher toward the back to $1.70 higher in spot Dec), amid heavy trade and expanding open interest.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.35 higher (37¢ higher toward the back to $2.20 higher toward the front). They were helped along by Corn futures closing 8¢ to 9¢ lower through Jly ‘22. Corn futures were down on likely profit taking, harvest pressure and chatter about yields coming in at the top of range expectations.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.11 higher Wednesday afternoon at $288.49/cwt. Select was $1.59 higher at $267.72/cwt.
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