Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to mostly inactive on very light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, live prices were $2 higher in the Southern Plains at $142/cwt., 50¢ to $1 higher in Nebraska at $145.00-$148.50 and $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $148-$150. Dressed prices were $4-$5 higher at $234.
Choice Boxed beef cutout value was 11¢ lower Friday afternoon at $264.28/cwt. Select was 47¢ higher at $237.94/cwt.
Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 661,000 head was 14,000 head more than the previous week. Estimated total year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 21.4 million head was 239,000 head more (+1.1%) year over year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 17.65 billion lbs. was 156.1 million lbs. (+0.9%) more.
Stronger cash prices helped Live Cattle edge an average of 22¢ higher on Friday, except for an average of 6¢ lower in two contracts. Week to week they closed an average of 49¢ higher (17¢ to $1.37 higher), except for an average of 7¢ lower in two contracts.
Resurgent Corn futures prices and likely defensiveness ahead of the Cattle on Feed report pressured Feeder Cattle futures an average of 46¢ lower on Friday, except for 12¢ higher in the back contract. Week to week, they closed an average of $1.66 higher (77¢ to $2.32 higher).
Starting the week, traders will likely try to balance recent rains and improved fall grazing prospects in the Southern Plains with Friday’s bearish Cattle on Feed report (see below).
Grain and Soybean futures continued to gain Friday but remained lower week to week with concerns about economic growth in China, as well as the stronger U.S. Dollar.
Corn futures closed 6¢ to 8¢ higher through Sep ‘23 on Friday and then 1¢ to 4¢ higher. They closed an average of 16’6¢ lower through the front six contracts week to week on Friday.
Soybean futures closed mixed, mostly 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher on Friday. Week to week they closed an average of 45’7¢ lower through the front six contracts.
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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Friday. Pressure appeared to be heightened concern over future interest rate hikes and profit taking ahead of the weekend.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 292 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 55 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 260 points.
West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures on the CME closed 27¢ to 56¢ higher through the through the front six contracts.
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Markets will likely view Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report as bearish, with July placements and cattle on feed Aug. 1 (feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity) higher than pre-report expectations.
Placements in July of 1.77 million head were 32,000 head more (+1.8%) than a year earlier and about 3% more than expectations.
In terms of placements, 23.2% went on feed weighing less than 600 lbs., 16% weighing 600-699 lbs., 23% weighing 700-799 lbs., 23% weighing 800-899 lbs., 11% weighing 900-999 lbs and 4% weighing 1,000 lbs. or more.
Marketings in July of 1.82 million head were 74,000 head fewer (-4.0%) less than last year, which was in line with estimates ahead of the report.
Cattle on feed Aug. 1 of 11.22 million head were 150,000 head more year over year (+1.4%), which was 0.6% more than expectations ahead of the report. Inventory was the second largest for the date since the data series began in 1996.