WLI

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt to moderate on very good demand in Kansas through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices were $3-$8 higher in Kansas at $233-$238/cwt.

Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades in the Texas Panhandle at $234-$235. Established trade the previous day of $235 was $3 higher than last week.

Last week, FOB live prices were $24-$244 in Nebraska and $240-$242 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $380.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.96 higher Thursday afternoon at $376.72. Select was $2.32 higher at $363.07.

Cattle futures basically hovered Thursday with traders waiting for further cash direction from trade in the North.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of 38¢ lower, except for 43¢ higher in spot Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 34¢ lower, except for 10¢ higher in spot Aug.

Turning to the grain complex, futures were mixed Thursday, with little impetus from the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (see below).

Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were fractionally higher to 1¢ higher, perhaps receiving support from slightly snugger ending stocks projected in the latest WASDE. Kansas City Wheat futures were 2¢ to 4¢ lower. Soybean futures were 1¢ to 7¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices rose Thursday, led by tech stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 101 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 23 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 46 points.

Through mid-afternoon, West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) were 19¢ to 55¢ higher through the front six contracts.

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USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) increased projected fed steer prices for the remainder of this year in June’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).

Based on recent price strength and continued demand for cattle, ERS increased the forecast five-area direct fed steer price $9-$10 higher than the previous month. Prices were projected at $217/cwt. in the second quarter, $226 in the third quarter and $229 in the fourth quarter. The annual average price increased $7 to $221.51.

That was with this year’s beef production projected to be 65 million pounds less than the previous month’s forecast at 26.4 billion pounds, based on reduced steer and heifer slaughter in the second quarter and reduced cow slaughter for the remainder of the year. Production would be 626 million pounds less (-2.3%) than the previous year.

For next year, the ERS projected the first-quarter price to be $227 and the annual average price to be $229.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on good demand in the Texas Panhandle through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades at $235/cwt., which was steady with the previous day and $3 higher than last week.

Elsewhere, demand with limited on moderate demand with too few transactions to trend.

Last week, based on the latest established trade, FOB live prices were $235 in Kansas, $242-$244 in Nebraska and $240-$242 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $380.

Wholesale beef prices continued to charge higher Wednesday, as packers reduce production. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.00 higher in the afternoon at $374.76. Select was 91¢ higher at $360.75.

However, Cattle futures were mostly lower Wednesday, with technical selling tied to concerns about the previous day’s Immigration Control and Enforcement raid on a meat production plant in Omaha, Neb. Futures did manage to recover some early-session losses.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of 69¢ lower, except for $1.10 higher in spot Jun. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.57 lower.

Turning to the grain complex, Corn and Soybean futures were lower Wednesday with likely pressure from favorable weather and perhaps some positioning ahead of Thursday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were fractionally lower to 2¢ lower. Soybean futures were 1¢ to 8¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were fractionally mixed to 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices edged lower Wednesday as traders digested news of an approved framework for trade between the U.S. and China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1 point lower. The S&P 500 closed 16 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 99 points.

Through mid-afternoon, West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) were $2.02 to $3.03 higher through the front six contracts, supported by increase tensions in the Middle East. 

Cattle futures closed mostly higher Tuesday following a downturn earlier in the session tied to reported rumors about an immigration and enforcement raid at a Nebraska packing house.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of 49¢ higher, except for an average of 79¢ lower in two nearby contracts. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.88 higher.

The CME Feeder Cattle Index surged $3.58 to $314.04.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few to trend, there were some early live FOB sales in the Texas Panhandle at $235/cwt.

Last week, based on the latest established trade, FOB live prices were $232 in the Texas Panhandle, $235 in Kansas, $242-$244 in Nebraska and $240-$242 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $380.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.51 higher Tuesday afternoon at $371.76. Select was 91¢ higher at $359.84.

Turning to the grain complex, Corn and Soybean futures were higher Tuesday after early-session pressure. Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were mostly 1¢ to 5¢ higher. Soybean futures were mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures were 10¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices edged higher Tuesday, apparently supported by ongoing trade discussions between the U.S. and China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 105 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 32 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 123 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) were 92¢ to $1.40 higher through the front six contracts. 

Cattle futures closed mostly higher again Monday with further follow-through support from last week’s surging cash fed cattle prices.

Toward the close, Live cattle futures were an average of $1.10 higher (7¢ higher to $3.12 higher in spot Jun), except for an average 15¢ lower in two contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 52¢ higher, except 30¢ lower in the back contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, based on the latest established trade, FOB live prices were $9 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $232/cwt., $13 higher in Kansas at $235, $7 higher in Nebraska at $242-$244 and $5-$10 higher in the western Corn Belt at $240-$242. Dressed delivered prices were $10-$15 higher in Nebraska at $380 and $9 higher in the western Corn Belt at $380.

The five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price last week was $6.68 higher at $236.62. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $12.28 higher at $380.34.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.17 higher Monday afternoon at $367.25. Select was $2.20 higher at $358.93.

Turning to the grain complex, Grain and Soybean futures were lower Monday with likely pressure from the favorable weather outlook.

Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were 6¢ to 10¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 5¢ lower. Soybean futures were mixed, from 4¢ lower to 4¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices were little changed Monday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1 point lower. The S&P 500 closed 5 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 61 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) were 92¢ to $1.40 higher through the front six contracts. 

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Depending on the sources consulted and interpretation of the proverbial tea leaves, historically high calf and feeder cattle markets are in a state of flux between some producers pulling calves forward to market at lighter weights than normal to exploit current prices, while others seem to be expressing more willingness to retain more heifers.

“Feeder cattle prices in recent weeks have started to ease in line with typical seasonal trends, moving down marginally as summer commences and calf supplies build towards fall,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), in the early-June Livestock Monitor. “However, prices remain historically elevated due to continued supply constraints and strong underlying demand.”

The LMIC provides regional year-over-year price perspective for Medium and Large #1-#2 steers weighing 500-600 lbs. at the end of May:

Southern Plains — $389.05/cwt. average (+21.2%)

Nebraska — $392.18/cwt. average (+10.6%)

South Dakota — $405.77/average (+15.3%)

Washington — $391.32/cwt. (+19.7%)

Billings, Mont. — $408.89/cwt. (+20.9%), the highest level so far this year.

Georgia (500-pound steers) — $366.63/cwt. (+18.5%)

Across these six regions, prices were an average of 17.7% higher year over year, equivalent to an increase of $58.66/cwt., according to the LMIC. 

“Since the beginning of the year, prices have steadily climbed to year-to-date highs, with an average magnitude of around 23%, which is about 2% faster than last year,” LMIC analysts say. “Among the six regions, Washington has experienced the most dramatic rise, with prices jumping 39.3% from $298.57/cwt. in January to $416 in April. While similar growth occurred last year, seasonal highs were not reached until late June, raising question about whether some areas of the U.S. have yet to see their peak.”

Looking ahead, LMIC analysts say feeder steer prices are expected to remain above last year’s levels, although the rate of increase will likely slow.

“Among the regions mentioned, Georgia and the Southern Plains have yet to break the $400/cwt. mark, while states like Nebraska and Washington have seen a decrease from peaks of approximately 6%, falling back below the $400 threshold,” LMIC analysts explain. “Although tight supplies continue to support prices, regional variations in forage conditions and placement patterns may introduce greater price fluctuations across different areas as we move forward.”

Cattle futures closed mostly higher again Friday with follow-through support from the week’s surging cash fed cattle prices.

Live cattle futures closed an average of $1.16 higher (12¢ higher toward the back to $3.40 higher at the front), except for 2¢ lower in away Aug.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 61¢ higher (5¢ higher at the back to $1.00 higher at the front).

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.27 higher ($3.15 higher toward the back to $10.82 higher in spot June). Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $9.79 higher ($6.92 higher at the back to $11.42 higher toward the front).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on very good demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few transactions to trend, there were some FOB live trades in the Texas Panhandle at $232/cwt., which was steady with the previous day and $9 higher than the previous week.

FOB live prices in Kansas were $5 higher than Thursday at $235, which was $13 more than the previous week.

In Nebraska, FOB live prices were $2-$3 higher than Thursday at $242-$244, which was $7 higher than the previous week. Dressed delivered prices for the week were $10-$15 higher at $380.

In the western Corn Belt, FOB live prices were $3-$10 higher at $240, while dressed delivered prices were $9 higher at $380.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.77 lower Friday afternoon at $365.08. Select was 12¢higher at $356.73. Week to week on Friday,         Choice was $1.26 lower and Select was 8¢ higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 582,000 head was 105,000 head more than the previous week but 28,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated total year-to-date cattle slaughter of 12.9 million head was 847,000 head fewer (-6.2%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 11.2 billion pounds was 328.2 million pounds less (-2.8%).

Turning to the grain complex, Grain and Soybean futures mostly extended gains Friday with support from announced trade talks between the U.S. and China, and perhaps some inkling of a weather premium.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures closed 5¢ to 7¢ higher. Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Friday, buoyed by stronger job growth than expected.

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 139,000 in May, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%.

Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 15¢, or 0.4%, to $36.24 in May. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.9%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 443 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 61 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 231 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 79¢ to $1.21 higher through the front six contracts. 

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U.S. beef exports lost ground in April, due in part to China’s retaliatory tariffs and that nation’s failure to renew establishment registrations for U.S. beef plants and cold storage facilities, the majority of which expired in mid-March.

April U.S. beef exports of 100,659 metric tons (mt) in April were 10% less than a year earlier, while value fell 8% to $824.5 million, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). For January through April, beef exports were 3% below last year’s pace at 411,027 mt. Export value was down just 1% to $3.35 billion.

Exports to China declined nearly 70% and shipments also trended lower to Mexico, Taiwan and the Middle East. These results were partially offset by larger exports to South Korea, Japan and Central and South America.

“We expected beef shipments to China to hit a wall in April, due to the one-two punch of higher tariffs and expired plant registrations,” says Dan Halstrom, USMEF President and CEO. “We are hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon and are encouraged by this week’s developments on trade negotiations with China. In the meantime, USMEF remains committed to market diversification and we have accelerated efforts to develop alternative destinations for cuts and variety meat items normally shipped to China.”

China’s total duties on U.S. beef peaked in April at 147%. The rate was lowered to 32% on May 14 when the U.S. and China agreed to a temporary de-escalation to allow for further negotiations. (Product that shipped prior to April 10 was allowed to clear without the additional 125%, provided it arrived by May 13.) President Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 5 and said further talks will be held soon.

April beef exports equated to $396.71 per head of fed slaughter, down 5% from a year ago. The January-April per-head average was still up 1% to $415.16.

For broader perspective, U.S. pork exports totaled 237,250 mt in April, down 15% from a year ago and the lowest in 10 months. Export value fell 13% to $675.3 million. Exports to China, which are mainly pork variety meats, declined 35% from a year ago.