Daily Market Highlights

Cattle futures closed lower Thursday, retracing some of the gains from the previous two sessions amid light trade, declining open interest, likely month-end position squaring, lower cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.74 lower ($1.20 to $2.25 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.27 lower (95¢ to $1.65 lower).

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

So far this week, FOB live prices are $174-$175/cwt. in all regions which is $2-$3 lower in the Southern Plains, $1-$2 lower in Nebraska and steady to $4 lower in the western Corn Belt.

Dressed delivered prices are $275, which is $5 lower in Nebraska and $3-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.99 higher Thursday afternoon at $299.02/cwt. Select was 66¢ higher at $264.75/cwt.

Grain futures closed higher Thursday, supported by positive export sales. Net weekly U.S. 2023-24 Corn export sales were a marketing year high, 35% more than the previous week and up 54% from the prior four-week average.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 6¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 6¢ to 8¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 2¢ to 4¢ lower through Aug ’24 and then 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed mainly higher Thursday as investor confidence seemed to grow concerning inflation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 520 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 17 points higher. The NASDAQ was down 32 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.90 to $2.01 lower through the front six contracts.

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Higher animal protein production costs and tighter supplies will push animal protein prices higher and constrain global consumption in 2024, according to Rabobank’s annual Global Animal Protein Outlook report.

Input costs and inflation are likely to decline, but will remain higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to the report. As well, structural changes will challenge supply chains. For instance, Rabobank analysts say demographic shifts will tighten the labor market, increasing production costs, while less population growth will slow consumption.

“Not all structural changes in the market are detrimental – many present new opportunities for businesses to improve their processes and products,” explains Justin Sherrard, Rabobank global strategist for animal protein. “Those companies that can demonstrate agility in adapting to the new environment and navigate consumer willingness to pay for certain preferences will be able to take advantage of the tighter market and come out on top.”

Closer to home, Rabobank expects U.S. beef production to be 4.5% less in 2024, compared to this year, as beef cow liquidation continues, and herd rebuilding remains on hold. This will challenge the margins of existing and developing beef packing capacity.

Cattle futures extended gains Wednesday, supported by renewed buying interest in the previous session.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 63¢ higher (2¢ to $1.15 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 57¢ higher (25¢ to $1.05 higher), except for 5¢ lower in the back contract.

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

So far this week, FOB live sales are $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $175/cwt. and $1 lower in Nebraska at $175.

Last week, FOB live prices were $175-$178 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $280 in Nebraska and $278-$280 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.14 lower Wednesday afternoon at $297.03/cwt. Select was $2.26 lower at $264.09/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 12¢ to 16¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally higher through Sep ’25. and then 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed little changed Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 13 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 4 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 23 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.23 to $1.45 higher through the front six contracts.   

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Beef demand is likely to increase seasonally heading into Christmas, but Andrew P. Griffith, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee questions whether the support will be as strong as typical.

“It now seems apparent that consumers are feeling the squeeze on disposable income,” Griffith says in his weekly market comments. “Despite the slowdown in inflation, prices of most goods remain elevated. At the same time, sustained high energy prices are pulling on disposable income, as are higher interest rates. All of these factors are going to make it difficult for packers to push wholesale beef prices higher in the near term. The one thing that may provide support for wholesale beef prices in the near future is a reduction in beef supply, but that is probably six or more months down the road.”

Last week’s USDA Cold Storage report reflected the cusp of declining supplies.

Total pounds of beef in freezers Oct. 31 were 6% more than the previous month but 13% less year over year. Frozen pork supplies were down 6% from the previous month and down 14% from the previous year. Total red meat supplies in freezers were slightly less than the previous month and down 14% from a year earlier.

“Red meat numbers are unsurprising as production is mostly down across all categories,” according to the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) in the latest Livestock Monitor.

Total frozen poultry supplies were down 6% from the previous month but slightly higher than a year ago.

“Whole chickens were up 11% in broilers, and 58% in hens, while whole tom turkeys fell 3% and whole hen turkeys were even with a year ago,” LMIC analysts explain. “Parts were a different story on the turkey side with every category posting year-on-year growth. The largest increase was mechanically deboned turkey, up almost 200% from a year ago, followed by breast meat, up 82%. Chicken parts were largely lower than last year, with the exception of chicken breast, up 6%.”

Cattle futures have plenty of distance to cover before making up the ground lost in the previous two trading sessions, but they made a strong start with Tuesday’s rally as buyers were likely attracted by the extremely oversold conditions.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $7.29 higher, including limit-up $8.25 in spot Jan.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.44 higher ($2.87 to $4.20 higher).

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

So far this week, FOB live sales are $2 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $175/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were $177 in the Southern Plains, $176 in Nebraska on light trade and $175-$178 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $280 in Nebraska and $278-$280 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 92¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $298.17/cwt. Select was $1.45 lower at $266.35/cwt.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 16¢ higher.

Corn futures closed narrowly mixed, mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 17¢ to 19¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices drifted higher Tuesday on hopes the Fed may be done raising interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 83 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 4 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 40 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.32 to $1.55 higher through the front six contracts.  

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Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral for the third consecutive month in November to its lowest level in more than three years. It declined 4 points from the previous month to 40.4. It was 49.5 in September.

“This is the weakest recorded reading since June 2020, shortly after the beginning of the pandemic and points to weaker farm and non-farm economies,” says Ernie Goss, the Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business.

The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. The RMI is based on a monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

“Higher interest rates, deposit outflows and a slowing farm economy over the past several months continued to constrain the business confidence index to a record low 21.2 from 24.1 in October,” Goss explains. “This month’s reading is the most negative outlook recorded since Creighton began the monthly survey in January 2006.” He adds that approximately 57.7% of bankers expect economic conditions to worsen in the next six months.

Among other highlights…

• For the fifth time in the past six months, farm equipment sales declined.
• Approximately 84.5% of bankers urged the Federal Reserve to make no changes to interest rates at its next meetings in December.
• Approximately 88.5% of bank CEOs reported that available jobs outnumbered available workers in their local economy.

The Cattle Futures exodus that began Friday continued on Monday with a similar degree of momentum, likely exacerbated by month-end positioning.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.02 lower ($4.72 to $6.52 lower). That’s an average of $12.28 lower in the past two trading sessions.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.52 lower, down an average of $6.27 in the last two sessions.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early FOB live trades in the Southern Plains and the western Corn Belt at $175/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $177, $2 lower in Nebraska at $176 on light trade and steady to $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $175-$178. Dressed delivered prices were mostly $2 lower in Nebraska at mainly $280 and $2-$4 lower in the western Corn Belt at $278-$280.

The weighted average five-area direct FOB live steer price last week was 87¢ lower at $176.99/cwt. The weighted average dressed delivered steer price was $1.76 lower at $280.09.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 78¢ lower Monday afternoon at 297.25/cwt. Select was 96¢ lower at $267.80.

Grain futures closed lower amid a commodity-wide sell-off.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 7¢ lower.

Kansas City Wheat Futures closed 10¢ to 15¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed narrowly mixed but mostly fractionally higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices edged lower Monday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 56 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 8 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 9 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 48¢ to 68¢ lower through the front six contracts. 

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Based on beef cow slaughter so far this year, the beef cow inventory at the beginning of next year is likely to be at least 2.5% less year over year, says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist in his weekly market comments.

“The available supply of bred heifers (heifers expected to calve), combined with beef cow culling this year will determine the change in the beef cow inventory this year,” Peel says. “From the beginning of the year, the supply of bred heifers meant that beef cow slaughter in 2023 would have to decrease sharply — in excess of 18% year over year — in order to avoid additional herd liquidation this year. Cumulative beef cow slaughter reached a maximum year-over-year decrease of 13.8% in early September, a significant decrease, but not enough to prevent additional herd liquidation. The July Cattle report confirmed that the beef cow herd was down by 2.6% from 2022 levels by mid-year.”

Peel points out the beef cow inventory of 28.9 million head at the beginning of this year were 3.6% less than the previous year and the fewest since 1962. More importantly, he says the inventory of beef replacement heifers at the time — 5.16 million head — was 5.8% less year over year. Replacement heifers and heifers expected to calve were the fewest since 2011.

Moreover, Peel notes the inventory of heifers available for breeding (total replacement heifer inventory minus heifers expected to calve) at the beginning of the year was the fewest in 23 years of available data.

“It seems likely that the available supply of bred heifers will remain limited in 2024.  The beef cow herd will be smaller in 2024 and holding the inventory stable next year may be the most likely outcome,” Peel says.

Keeping in mind the holiday-shortened week and the abbreviated session to end the week, Cattle futures took a steep step lower Friday, pressured by lower cash fed cattle prices, light trade and apparent technical selling.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.66 lower ($5.62 to $6.80 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.75 lower.

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

Based on the last established trade for the week, FOB live price were $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $177/cwt. and steady to $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at $177-$178. Dressed delivered prices were $7 lower in Nebraska at $275.

The previous week, FOB live prices in Nebraska were $178 and dressed delivered prices in the western Corn Belt were $282.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.03 higher Friday afternoon at $298.03/cwt. Select was $1.14 higher at $268.76/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 538,000 head was 98,000 head fewer than the previous week and 51,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 29.2 million head was 1.5 million head fewer (-4.7%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 24.0 billion lbs. was 1.4 billion lbs. less (-5.4%).

Net U.S. 2023 beef export sales for the week ending Nov. 16 were 10,000 metric tons, which was 12% more than the previous week but 30% less than the prior four-week average. Increases primarily were for China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and Mexico.

Traders doused the weather premium in Soybean futures on Friday with the wetter forecast in Brazil, taking the grain complex along for the wide.

Soybean futures closed 20¢ to 25¢ lower through Jan ’25 and then 14¢ to 18¢ lower.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 5¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 9¢ to 12¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed mostly higher Friday, led by retail stocks as the holiday season begins.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 117 point higher. The S&P 500 closed 2 points higher. The NASDAQ was down 15 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.22 to $1.56 lower through the front six contracts. 

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Choice wholesale beef prices found some seasonal footing last week with the cutout value $4.16 higher week to week on Friday at $298.03/cwt. Select was $1.94 lower at $268.76.

“The demand index for beef appears to be resetting closer to pre-pandemic levels but may lose further ground as price increases are expected to continue in the next few years,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) in the latest Livestock Monitor.

LMIC’s demand index for all fresh beef was 115 in the second quarter of 2023, slightly higher than 111 in 2019, but lower than 2020-22. LMIC analysts note a similar trend for the third quarter an index value of 110. That was in line with the same time in 2014 but has declined every year since 2020.

“Pork demand has been more inconsistent in recent years, surging to a 20-year high in 2019 and then out-pacing that high again in 2022,” LMIC analysts say. “However, the years in between have seen it drop back to levels seen over the most recent decade.”

Cattle futures closed lower Wednesday, following early support, amid light pre-holiday trade and positioning.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.14 lower (67¢ to $1.22 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 48¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light to moderate on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $1 lower at $177/cwt.

In Nebraska, trade was slow on light demand with dressed delivered prices $2 lower at $282. FOB live prices last week were $178.

Trade was also slow on light demand in the western Corn Belt with too few transactions to trend. Last week, FOB live prices were $178 and dressed prices were $282.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.19 higher Wednesday afternoon at $297.00/cwt. Select was $1.15 lower at $267.62/cwt.

Soybean futures closed 15¢ to 20¢ lower through Aug ’24 and then 8¢ to 12¢ lower on likely profit taking.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed narrowly mixed — unchanged to 1¢ lower through Sep ’24 and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Wednesday, bolstered by softer Treasury yields.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 184 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 18 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 65 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 65¢ to 67¢ lower through the front six contracts. 

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Although historically high, cattle prices have yet to yield enough profit to trigger national herd expansion, according to James Mitchell, Extension livestock economist at the University of Arkansas in a recent issue of Cattle Market Notes Weekly.

Mitchell explains relative profitability is one of the key differences between low cattle numbers currently and the similar situation in 2014-15.

“The Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) estimates 2023 cash costs at $1,088 per cow, which implies a breakeven price of $218/cwt. for a 500-pound steer. In 2014, cow costs were $879, resulting in a breakeven price of $176/cwt.,” Mitchell explains. “Enterprise budgets and cattle markets in 2023 are projecting a profit for cow-calf producers. However, relative profitability still needs to improve before seeing herd expansion on a noticeable scale.”

Moreover, Mitchell points to drought as perhaps the most important difference between today and 2014-2015. Back then, 20% of the nation’s cattle inventory were in drought areas at the end of October. This year, he notes 37% were impacted by drought.

“Other differences are due to a cattle industry that has undergone significant structural change since 2014,” Mitchell says.

Cattle futures softened Tuesday with limited interest and light trade.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 33¢ lower, except for unchanged in away Dec.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 94¢ lower (45¢ to $1.52 lower)

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on 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 $178/cwt. in all regions and dressed prices were $282.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 6¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $295.81/cwt. Select was $2.18 lower at $268.77/cwt.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 11¢ higher, leading grains higher.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed 4¢ to 6¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Tuesday, pressured by weaker retail sales and hawkish comments from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rates.

“Risks around the inflation forecast were seen as skewed to the upside, given the possibility that inflation might prove to be more persistent than expected or that additional adverse shocks to supply conditions might occur,” according to minutes from the last FOMC meeting. “… Participants noted that further tightening of monetary policy would be appropriate if incoming information indicated that progress toward the Committee’s inflation objective was insufficient.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 62 point lower. The S&P 500 closed 9 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 84 points.

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

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Global beef trade is in the midst of transition as weather and cattle cycles drive beef production lower in the United States and higher in the Southern Hemisphere, according to a new Rabobank report.

Domestically, beef cow herd liquidation continues, fueled by drought and strong cattle prices. As production declines, Angus Gidley-Baird, Rabobank senior analyst, animal protein, explains exports will decline while the need for imports increase. Rabobank anticipates a 4.5% contraction in domestic beef production and a 3% decrease in consumption next year, amplifying the nation’s status as a net beef importer.

Conversely, beef production is rising in Australia, due to the cattle cycle there, drier conditions and liquidation of surplus stock, according to the report. Brazilian beef production also continues to increase. Gidley-Baird explains increased beef production from these and other countries will not offset production declines in Canada and the U.S.

“The volume balance for the major beef producing and consuming regions of the world (that we track) will remain relatively constant in 2024,” says Gidley-Baird.

Meanwhile, Rabobank expects aggregated consumption levels to drop by 1%, with gains in countries such as China, South Korea, and Brazil unable to offset declines in countries like Canada and the U.S.

Cattle futures closed higher Monday with the neutral to positive monthly Cattle on Feed report. However, they closed off session highs with trade likely limited by this week’s Thanksgiving holiday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.34 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 67¢ higher (30¢ to $1.05 higher), except for an average of 21¢ lower in the front two contracts.

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

Last week, FOB live prices were $178/cwt. in all regions, which was $3 lower in the Texas Panhandle, mostly $2 lower in Kansas, $3.50 lower in Nebraska and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $5 lower in Nebraska at $282 and $1-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt at $282.

Last week’s weighted average five-area direct FOB fed steer price was $2.09 lower at $188.82/cwt. The dressed delivered steer price was $4.72 lower at $281.41.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.88 higher Monday afternoon at $295.75/cwt. Select was 25¢ higher at $270.95/cwt.

Soybean futures closed 20¢ to 27¢ higher through Jan ‘25 and then 12¢ to 17¢ higher with apparently more weather premium based on the South American crop.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 5¢ to 7¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Monday, led by tech stocks and supported by lower Treasury yields.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 203 point higher. The S&P 500 closed 33 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 159 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.67 to $1.79 higher through the front six contracts.

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Increased feedlot placements the past two months have added about 200,000 head to feedlot inventories, according to Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University. However, in his weekly market comments, he emphasizes the surge mainly represents feedlots pulling cattle forward.

Ongoing drought in some areas has likely encouraged some cattle entering the market channel sooner than expected, as has the strong prices, according to Peel. As well, he explains feeder cattle imports from Mexico are 49% more year over year, boosted by drought in Mexico and price levels. He says most of those imports likely headed straight to the feedlot.

“Increased placements now will be offset by reduced placements later,” Peel says. “Total placements in the last six months, built on the recent increase and representing the majority of cattle on feed, are at the highest percentage of July 1 feeder supplies since 2011. This means that a larger percentage of available feeder supplies have already been placed in feedlots compared to recent years. Feedlot numbers will inevitably come down in the coming months, especially when heifer retention begins.”

Peel points out the estimated 2023 calf crop is 1.9% less than last year. The 2022 calf crop was down 2% from the previous year. In sum, he explains the calf crop has been decreasing since 2018 and has declined 2.5 million head (-6.9%) in the past five years.

“The recent futures market correction has reduced cash feeder prices for heavy feeder cattle and may have contributed to some fear-based sales,” Peel says. “Despite recent decreases, prices for 6-weight and heavier feeder cattle are still 30 to 40% higher compared to one year ago. In Oklahoma auctions, prices for lightweight calves and stockers have not declined and are 50+% higher year over year.”

Cattle futures closed higher Friday with likely positioning ahead of Friday’s neutral to positive monthly Cattle on Feed report (see below).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.02 higher. They were an average of $2.64 higher week to week.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.16 higher on Friday and an average of $1.55 higher week to week.

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.

For the week, FOB live prices were $178/cwt. in all regions, which was $3 lower in the Texas Panhandle, mostly $2 lower in Kansas, $3.50 lower in Nebraska and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $5 lower in Nebraska at $282 and $1-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt at $282.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 85¢ lower Friday afternoon at $293.87/cwt. Select was $3.05 higher at $270.70/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 636,000 head was 18,000 head more than the previous week but 36,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 28.7 million head was 1.4 million head fewer (-4.7%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 23.5 billion lbs. was 1.3 billion lbs. less (-5.3%).

Turning to row crops, Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 7¢ lower. KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 8¢ to 10¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 15¢ to 20¢ lower through Aug ‘25 and then 7¢ to 12¢ lower.

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

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 1 point higher. The S&P 500 closed 5 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 11 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $2.61 to $2.99 higher through the front six contracts.

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Markets will likely view Friday’s Cattle on Feed report as neutral to positive, assuming traders factored in pre-report expectations.

For feedlots with 1,000 head more capacity, feedlot placements in October of 2.1 million head were 79,000 head more (+3.8%) than last year. That’s 2-3% less than various analyst expectations ahead of the report.

In terms of placement weights, 47% went on feed weighing 699 lbs. or less, 40% weighing 700-899 lbs. and 13% weighing 900 lbs. or more.

Marketings in October of 1.6 million head were 46,000 head fewer (-2.5%) than a year earlier, which was 0.5% less than pre-report estimates.

Cattle on feed Nov. 1 of 11.9 million head were 195,000 head more (+1.7%) than a year earlier, which was in line with expectations.

Cattle futures closed sharply lower Thursday with lower cash fed cattle prices and likely positioning ahead of Friday’s Monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.59 lower, except for 5¢ lower in expiring Nov.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.85 lower ($2.25 to $3.45 lower).

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

FOB live prices were $178/cwt. in all regions, which was $3 lower in the Texas Panhandle, mostly $2 lower in Kansas, $3.50 lower in Nebraska and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt.

So far this week, dressed delivered prices are $5 lower in Nebraska at $282. Dressed prices in the western Corn Belt last week were $283-$287.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.61 lower Thursday afternoon at $294.72/cwt. Select was 20¢ lower at $267.65/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales for 2023 of 8,900 metric tons the week ending Nov. 9 were 35% less than the previous week and 27% less than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for South Korea, Mexico, China, Japan  and Taiwan.

Turning to row crops, Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 10¢ to 12¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 19¢ to 24¢ lower through Jan ‘25 and then mostly 14¢ to 17¢ low.

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

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 45 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 5 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 9 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $3.17 to $3.76 lower through the front six contracts.

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USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) lowered expectations for feeder steer prices for the remainder of this year and the first half of next year, based on recent prices and expectations for more fed cattle and beef production.

ERS estimated beef production for next year 535 million pounds higher than last month at 25.8 billion pounds, in the November Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.

“With the addition of more heifers on feed than a year ago and higher forecast cattle imports from last month, expectations for fourth-quarter 2023 placements are raised from last month, and anticipated placements in first-half 2024 are also raised,” say ERS analysts. “This reflects an increase in expected fed cattle marketings next year, in addition to greater cow and bull slaughter.”

ERS reduced the fourth-quarter feeder steer price (750-800 lbs., Oklahoma City) by $14 to $240/cwt., and the annual average price for this year by $3.50 to $221.11. Prices were forecast $9 less in the first quarter of next year at $240, $1 less in the second quarter at $247 and $2 higher in the third quarter at $260. The annual average price for 2024 was lowered by $1.50 to $252.25.

Expectations for increasing feeder cattle prices in the second half of next year is based in part on fewer cattle available as time unfolds.

“The larger than expected level of placements during September has led to about 4% or 1.1 million head fewer cattle outside feedlots on Oct. 1 that are available for placements in the coming months,” ERS analysts say. “Since the Cattle on Feed series began in 1996, this is a record low for supplies outside feedlots estimated on October 1.”