Cattle Current Podcast—Oct. 19, 2026

Cattle futures gained on Friday, helped by stronger cash fed cattle prices and continued weakness in Corn.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.46 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 73¢ higher, except for 5¢ lower in looming Nov.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on good demand in the North through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Based on the last established trade for the week, FOB live prices were mainly $5 higher in Nebraska at mostly $225/cwt. and mostly $2-$4 higher in the western Cron Belt at mainly $222-$224. Dressed delivered prices were mainly $5 higher at mostly $350.

The Texas Cattle Feeder Association reported its members trading fed steers $2.50 higher at $228.50 and fed heifers steady at $226.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.67 lower Friday afternoon at $372.31/cwt. Select was 43¢ higher at $353.05.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 553,000 head was 18,000 head more than the previous week but 13,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 21.6 million head was 1.7 million head fewer (-7.2%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 19.3 billion pounds was 1 billion pounds less (-5.1%).

Corn and Soybean futures were lower Friday with more harvest pressure.

Corn futures were mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower. Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 5¢ to 9¢ lower through Mar ‘28. Soybean futures were 1¢ to 3¢ lower through Aug ’27 and then mostly 1¢ higher.