WLI

Cattle futures bounced back from the previous day’s widespread commodity and equity sell-off, supported by stronger-late-week cash fed cattle prices and ongoing bullish fundamentals.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.34 higher (82¢ to $1.62 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.48 higher ($1.22 to $2.10 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $183/cwt., steady in Nebraska at $184-$185 and steady to $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $185-$186. Dressed delivered prices were steady at $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.40 higher Friday afternoon at $303.33/cwt. Select was $1.43 higher at $280.43/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 625,000 head was 7,000 head fewer than the previous week and 46,000 head fewer (-6.9%) than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 23.6 million head was 1.1 million head fewer (-4.3%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 19.3 billion pounds was 1 billion pounds less (-5.1%) than a year earlier.

Grain and soybean futures firmed on Friday.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Friday with follow-through pressure related to a potential government shutdown and projected lingering higher interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 106 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 9 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 12 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed mixed through the front six contracts, from 68¢ lower to 40¢ higher.

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Markets will likely view Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report as neutral, although placements were 1% more than expected. Other estimates were in line with pre-report estimates.

For feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity, August placements of 2.0 million head were 107,000 head fewer (-5.1%) than a year earlier.

In terms of placement weights, 36% went on feed weighing 699 pounds or less, 47% weighing 700-899 pounds and 17% weighing 900 pounds or more.

Marketings in August of 1.9 million head were 120,000 head fewer (-6.0%).

Cattle on feed Sept 1 of 11.1 million head were 248,000 head fewer (-2.2%).

Cattle futures and other commodity futures closed lower Thursday with the higher dollar and apparent fund selling tied to yesterday’s comments from the Fed suggesting interest rates will stay higher for longer. Wariness over Friday’s Cattle on Feed report could have added pressure.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.31 lower (90¢ lower in spot Sep to $2.87 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.80 lower ($1.57 to $2.02 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to a standstill through Thursdayafternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Dressed delivered prices were steady in Nebraska at $292/cwt. FOB live prices last week were $184-$185.

Elsewhere last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $185 in the western Corn Belt, where dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 67¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $301.93/cwt. Select was 32¢ higher at $279.00/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales (2023) of 13,700 metric tons were up noticeably from the previous week and up 15% from the prior four-week average, according to the U.S. Export Sales report for the week ending Sept. 14. Increases primarily for Japan, South Korea, China, Mexico and Canada.

Turning to row crops, grain and Soybean futures closed lower with the pressure from outside markets.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 7¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 18¢ lower through May ‘25 and then mostly fractionally lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 16¢ to 26¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Thursday with negative economic news including higher treasury yields and threats of a U.S. government shutdown.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 370 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 72 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 245 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed marginally mixed through the front six contracts.

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The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) expects global economic growth to moderate the rest of this year and next amid tighter monetary policy, according to the OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2023.

“Further significant stress in financial markets has been avoided so far, after the turbulence due to bank failures earlier in the year. That said, the global economy continues to confront the challenges of elevated inflation, low growth and comparatively weak trade,” says Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General.

Annual GDP growth in the United States is projected at 2.2% in 2023 and 1.3% in 2024, with the slowdown driven by cooler labor markets and the effects of tighter monetary policy. In the euro area, where demand is already subdued, GDP growth is projected to ease to 0.6% in 2023, and edge up to 1.1% in 2024 as the adverse impact of high inflation on real incomes fades. China’s recovery is weaker than expected following the post-pandemic re-opening, with growth projected at 5.1% this year and 4.6% in 2024.

The Outlook highlights a range of downside risks. For instance, according to the report, inflation could continue to prove more persistent than projected, with further disruptions to energy and food markets still possible. A further slowdown in China would dampen growth in trading partners worldwide and could drag down business confidence. Public debt remains elevated in many countries, in the aftermath of significant fiscal support rolled out in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy price crisis.

Cattle futures rebounded Wednesday with thoughts of steady to higher cash fed cattle prices this week and perhaps some early positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.48 higher (55¢ to $2.20 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.08 higher (76¢ to $1.37 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were a few live trades in Nebraska at $186/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 86¢ lower Wednesday at $301.26/cwt. Select was $3.10 lower at $278.68/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 6¢ higher Wednesday, bolstered by trade worries over a commercial cargo vessel in the Black Sea running into a mine.

KC HRW Wheat closed fractionally lower to 2¢ lower through May ‘24 and then fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 9¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices eased lower Wednesday. Primary news for the day was the Fed’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged for now, as widely anticipated, but with indications of another increase coming yet this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 76 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 41 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 209 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 79¢ to 92¢ lower through the front six contracts.

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Declining beef cow slaughter is helping support 90%-lean beef prices at levels 17.3% higher than last year, says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his weekly marketing comments.

For perspective on cow numbers, Peel explains beef cow slaughter is falling in the second half of this year after increasing annually from 2015 through 2022 and may end up 15-17% less for the year.

With the related higher cull cow prices in mind, Peel advises producers to keep value factors in mind as they make culling decisions this fall.

“As a rough guide, cows will be about 100 pounds heavier for increases in each grade from Lean to Boner to Breaker. Each grade increase is roughly equivalent to an increase of one body condition score,” Peel says. “Additionally, the live weight of cows will change by roughly 25-30 pounds above and below the weight of average dressing cows for high and low dressing cows. Producers can often impact the value of cull cows by managing the weight and condition of cows before marketing.”

For instance, Peel explains cull cows that are thin (Lean, low dressing) in the fall and are retained and fed until spring may sell as Boner cows at average dressing by March with an increase in value of $400-$600/head due to added weight, grade, and condition.

“Of course, the feasibility of holding cull cows depends on time and management considerations and the availability of surplus feed,” Peel says. “Going forward, many culled cows will likely be screened for the possibility of producing another calf and selling later for slaughter value. Leaving the cull cows with a bull while adding weight after weaning may produce another increment of added value if she can be sold as a bred cow next spring at seasonally high bred cow prices.”

Cattle futures closed lower again Tuesday, at a more modest pace, with follow-through pressure from oversold status and awaiting the week’s cash fed cattle trade direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 72¢ lower (35¢ to $1.60 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 56¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.20 lower Tuesday afternoon at $302.12/cwt. Select was $1.63 lower at $281.78/cwt.

Corn futures firmed in the front months, buoyed by recent crop ratings. They closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ higher through Jly ‘25.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 4¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ lower through Aug ‘24 and then unchanged to fractionally higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Tuesday as investors appeared skittish over the Fed’s looming next decision about interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 106 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 9 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 32 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 9¢ to 28¢ lower through the front six contracts.

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Although less than last year, September estimates suggest corn prices are likely to remain in their current price range, says Kenny Burdine, Extension livestock economist at the University of Kentucky, in the latest Cattle Market Notes Weekly.

“Holding everything else constant, higher corn prices lead to lower feeder cattle prices as greater cost of gain decreases the value of cattle placed into feeding programs. However, higher feed prices also result in higher value of gain as feedlots are incentivized to place heavier cattle,” Burdine explains. “The September report (WASDE) suggests that opportunities to profitability add gain to calves and sell heavier cattle are likely to remain in the coming months. This will be especially true for cow-calf and growing operations that have potential to add gain through forage or alternative feeds. Producers should continue to be diligent about evaluating costs and market conditions as they make decisions about post-weaning and backgrounding programs.”

Cattle futures took a breather from the steamy rally and closed lower Monday on likely profit taking.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.34 lower ($1.70 lower at the back to $3.52 lower toward the front).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 84¢ lower (25¢ to $1.40 lower).

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 39¢ lower Monday afternoon at $305.32/cwt. Select was 29¢ higher at $283.41/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 8¢ to 12¢ lower through Sep ‘25 and then 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 15¢ to 23¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices trickled higher Monday as investors wait for this week’s FOMC meeting. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 6 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 3 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 1 point.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed mixed, from 15¢ lower to 71¢ higher  through the front six contracts.

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Based on current price strength, USDA’s Economic Research Service left the third-quarter feeder steer price unchanged at $250/cwt. but increased the expected fourth-quarter price by $4 to $259/cwt., in the latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook. Prices were raised by $1 in the first and second quarter of next year at $249 and $248, respectively. The annual average price is projected at $225.99 this year and $253.75 next year.

“Over the last four weeks, wholesale boxed beef values have bounced back after retracting from this year’s highs set in June. However, fed cattle prices have not responded similarly,” say ERS analysts. “The August average price for fed steers in the five-area marketing region was $184.85/cwt., nearly flat since June but $41 higher year over year. This situation has allowed packer margins to improve during this time and coupled with expected higher seasonal beef demand and tightening fed cattle supplies, prices are not expected to fall further. As a result, the fed steer price forecast is unchanged at $178.50 and unchanged for next year at $186.”

Commercial beef production was forecast at 26.941 billion lbs. for this year, 40 million lbs. less than last month’s projection, based on a lower production outlook for the second half of the year.

“This is based on a slower expected pace of fed cattle marketing in September that is partially offset by higher expected cow slaughter for the rest of the year,” ERS analysts say. “As a result, the outlook for 2024 production remains unchanged from last month at 25.2 billion lbs.”