WLI

Feeder Cattle futures continued lower Friday, under pressure from positioning ahead of the monthly Cattle on Feed report (see below) and eroding outside markets. They were trending sharply lower on Monday

On Friday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.48 lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.05 lower (12¢ lower at the front to $1.62 lower at the back).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Based on the latest established trade, the week’s FOB live prices were $2 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $185/cwt., $1-$2 higher in Kansas at $184-$185 and $1-$2 higher in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt at $186-$187. Dressed delivered prices were $2 higher in Nebraska at $294 and $2-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $294.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.26 higher Friday afternoon at 305.38/cwt. Select was $1.22 higher at $278.70/cwt.

Total estimated cattle slaughter last week of 638,000 head was 21,000 head more than the previous week but 37,000 head fewer (-5.5%) than last year. Total estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter of 26.1 million head was 1.3 million head fewer (-4.6%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 21.4 billion pounds was 1.2 billion pounds less (-5.3%).

Corn futures mostly 4¢ to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 6¢ to 13¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 4¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed sharply lower Friday, once again bowing to rising U.S. Treasury yields.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 286 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 53 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 202 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 23¢ to 62¢ lower  through the front six contracts.  

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Markets viewed Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report as bearish, with prescient positioning ahead of the report and follow-through pressure at the outset Monday.

September placements in feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity of 2.2million head were 6.1% more than last year and significantly more than expectations.

In terms of placement weights, 37% went on feed weighing 699 lbs. or less, 46% weighing 700-899 lbs. and 17% weighing 900 lbs. or more.

Marketings in September of 1.7 million head were 10.6% less than the previous year and less than expected.

On-feed inventory Oct. 1 of 11.6 million head were 0.6% more than last year — more than expected — and the second largest inventory for the date since the data series began in 1996.

Feeder Cattle futures plunged Thursday, carrying Live Cattle along. Primary pressure appeared to be the surge in Corn futures, skittishness about consumer beef demand with lower outside markets and Friday’s Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.83 lower ($3.55-$5.52 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed $1.77 lower ($1.45 to $2.12 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to slow on light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $1-$2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $186-$187, where dressed delivered prices were $2 higher at $292-$294 in a light test.

Although too few transactions to trend, there was some live trade in Kansas at $184 and at $186 in Nebraska, where there were a few in the beef at $294.

Last week, FOB live prices were $183/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $185 in Nebraska, where dressed prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value (p.m.): 26¢ higher at 304.12/cwt. Select was 87¢ lower at $277.48/cwt.

Grain and soybean futures closed higher Thursday, in part buoyed by thoughts that the harvest low has been established.

Corn futures closed 9¢ to 13¢ higher through the front four contracts and then mostly 4¢ to 7¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower again Wednesday, pressured once again by rising yields for the 10-year Treasury note.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 250 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 36 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 128 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 54¢ to $1.10 higher through the front six contracts.  

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Even with continued reduction in beef production next year — forecast 6% lower year over year—  USDA expects the U.S. to remain the world’s largest beef producer in 2024.

“However, the U.S. is forecast to be only the fourth-largest exporter of beef in 2024, behind Brazil, Australia, and India,” says analysts with the Economic Research Service (ERS), in the latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.“Australian beef is considered to be one of the biggest competitors for U.S. beef on the global market; total beef exports from Australia are forecast to increase 5% in 2024. Beef exports from Brazil are expected to increase 4%.”

ERS analysts note that after the U.S., China, Japan and South Korea are the largest beef importing countries in the world and are the top three destination for U.S. beef exports, accounting for 60% of U.S. exports through August of this year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $183/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $185 in the north.  Dressed delivered prices were $290-$292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.28 lower Wednesday afternoon at $303.86/cwt. Select was 28¢ lower at $278.35/cwt.

Cattle futures wobbled Wednesday amid slack interest, the wait for the week’s cash fed cattle direction and Friday’s Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.38 lower.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed from unchanged to an average of 21¢ higher in the front four contracts to an average of 31¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 14¢ higher through Aug ‘24. and then 4¢ to 6¢ higher, helped along by an export announcement for China.

Corn futures closed fractionally higher to 3¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Wednesday on the surge in bond yields.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 332 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 58 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 219 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.52 to $1.83 higher through the front six contracts. 

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USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) increased expected third-quarter feedlot placements in the latest monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.

“Most of these placements are expected to come from those previously anticipated in the fourth quarter,” ERS analysts say. “Further, anticipated placements in first-half 2024 are raised. This assumption of feedlot demand and availability of feeder calves results in a net increase of anticipated fed cattle marketings next year.”

Compared to projections the previous month, ERS lowered the expected feeder steer price (750-800 lbs., Oklahoma City) by $5 in the fourth quarter to $254/cwt. This year’s forecast annual price of $253.75 was unchanged. Expected prices in the first and second quarters of next year were also unchanged at $249 and $248, respectively.

ERS also lowered the projected fourth-quarter five-area direct fed steer price by $5 to $190/cwt., and the annual average price by $1.19 to $177.30. Price expectations were lowered $1 in the first and second quarter of next year to $187 and $185, respectively.

Fourth-quarter beef production was forecast 60 million pounds more with estimated higher cow and bull slaughter more than offsetting a slight decline in expected average carcass weights. Total 2023 beef production was forecast 35 million pounds more than the previous month at 26.98 billion pounds.

Cattle futures firmed Tuesday, helped along by recently higher cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 98¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 43¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $183/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $185 in the north.  Dressed delivered prices were $290-$292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 47¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $305.14/cwt. Select was $1.43 higher at $278.63/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 10¢ higher through Sep ‘24 and then 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices faltered Tuesday with pressure from higher yield rates tied to heftier monthly U.S. retail and food service sales than expected.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 13 points higher. The S&P 500 closed fractionally lower. The NASDAQ was down 34 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed unchanged to 39¢ higher through the front six contracts.

Recent negotiated cash fed cattle prices reflect the push and pull of tight supplies while packers attempt to slow production and build live cattle inventory.

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Recent negotiated cash fed cattle prices reflect the push and pull of tight supplies while packers attempt to slow production and build live cattle inventory.

The ability to hold par on finished cattle prices during the fall lull bodes well for cattle feeders as finished cattle prices moving toward end-of-the-year holidays are expected to be supported as are wholesale beef prices, says Andrew P. Griffith, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee says, in his weekly market comments. “The market may not experience as large a typical seasonal price increase this year as in previous years, but the failure to achieve the same percentage increase is because prices have remained strong moving from summer into the fall period.”

Cattle futures closed lower Monday after early strength as traders appear cautious about Friday’s next Cattle on Feed report, as well as lingering future demand concerns.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.13 lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average 39¢ lower, except for 7¢ higher in spot Oct.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $182/cwt. and $2 higher in in the North at $185. Dressed delivered prices were $2-$4 higher in Nebraska at $292 and steady to $4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $290-$292.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price last week was $184.30/cwt., which was $1.58 higher than last week. The average fed steer price in the beef was $2.57 higher at $291.83.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices gained Monday on positive quarterly earnings reports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 314 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 45 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 160 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 82¢ to $1.09 lower through the front six contracts.   

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Global economic recovery from the pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine remains slow and uneven, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the recent World Economic Outlook (WEO).

“Risks to the outlook are more balanced than they were six months ago, on account of the resolution of U.S. debt ceiling tensions and Swiss and U.S. authorities having acted decisively to contain financial turbulence,” according to the WEO Executive Summary. “The likelihood of a hard landing has receded, but the balance of risks to global growth remains tilted to the downside.”

The IMF projects global economic growth to be 3.0% this year, down from 3.5% last year. Next year’s growth is projected to be 2.9%. IMF forecast U.S. GDP at 2.1% this year, the same as last year, and then 1.5% next year.

“Several forces are holding back the recovery,” according to the WEO. “Some reflect the long-term consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and increasing geo-economic fragmentation. Others are more cyclical in nature, including the effects of monetary policy tightening necessary to reduce inflation, withdrawal of fiscal support amid high debt, and extreme weather events.”

Among key risks to the economy, IMF cites: a deepening real estate crisis in China; more volatile commodity markets tied to geo-political tensions and disruptions linked to climate change; uncomfortably high inflation.”