Daily Market Highlights

Cattle futures closed mainly higher Tuesday amid choppy trade and following early pressure.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ higher, except for unchanged and 5¢ lower in two away contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 75¢ higher, except for 37¢ lower in expiring Oct.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, with too few trades to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $185/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $183-$186 in Nebraska and $183-$185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.10 lower Tuesday afternoon at $305.18/cwt. Select was $1.39 lower at $279.50/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 12¢ to 15¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices continued higher Tuesday as investors closed out the month.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 129 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 26 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 61 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 79¢ to $1.29 lower through the front six contracts.

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The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) sank below growth neutral for the second consecutive month in October, according to the latest survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.

Specifically, the overall RMI declined 5.1 month to month to a reading of 44.4. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with a reading of 50.0 representing growth neutral. 

“This is the weakest recorded reading for 2023 and points to weaker farm and non-farm economies,” explains Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. “Despite this weakness, only 26.8% of banks reported tightening credit standards for farmers while 34.5% indicated that their bank had tightened credits standards for businesses in their area.”

The region’s farmland price index dropped 9.8 points to 55.6 in October. “Creighton’s survey continues to point to solid, but slowing, growth in farmland prices as farm commodity prices weaken,” Goss says.

According to bankers, these are the greatest challenge to farm and ranch profitability over the next 12 months, in approximate numbers:

          *44.4% named low or falling crop prices.

          *22.2% identified rising or high interest rates.

          *14.8% pointed to rising or high farm input costs.

          *7.4% said it was trade barriers and trade restrictions.

“Regarding the top farm challenge for the next 12 months, it is really the combination of higher interest rates, lower crop prices, high input costs and trade barriers. It would seem that the perfect storm is beginning to fester up,” says Jeff Bonnett, president of Havana National Bank in Havana, Ill.

Cattle futures extended gains Monday, supported by stronger cash fed cattle prices late last week and more positive outside markets.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 68¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 88¢ higher (12¢ higher in spot Oct to $1.30 higher at the back).

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

Last week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $184-$185/cwt., steady to $4 lower in Nebraska at $183-$186 and $2-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $183-$185. Dressed delivered prices were mainly $4 lower at $290.

The weighted average five-area direct FOB fed steer price was $2.12 lower at $184.02. The weighted average dressed delivered steer price was $3.51 lower at $290.06.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.71 higher Monday afternoon at $309.28/cwt. Select was 77¢ higher at $280.89/cwt.

Corn futures closed lower Monday on likely month-end profit taking. They were 2¢ lower through new crop contracts and then fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 14¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices bounced back Monday on presumably oversold conditions and positioning ahead of this week’s Fed meeting.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 511 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 49 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 146 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $2.48 to $3.23 lower through the front six contracts. 

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Although less than the previous month — due to weaker expected fed cattle prices — projections are mainly positive for cattle feeding returns through June of next year, based on the latest Historical and Projected Kansas Feedlot Net Returns.

For October through June, net returns for steers are projected to be positive in six months — from $46.48 per head in March to $233.93 in November. Feedlot cost of gain for those months ranges from $110.74/cwt. in May to $133.02 in October.

Negative steer returns are projected in three months, from -$28.22 per head in April to -$2.91 in June. Projected feedlot cost of gain for those months ranges from $108.43 to $119.29.

Keep in mind that estimates assume no price risk management.

Projections follow a similar pattern for fed heifers with positive returns estimated for October through June, except for one month. During the period, positive returns range from $25.94 per head in June to $190.97 in October. Feedlot cost of gain expectations range from $115.67/cwt. in June to $142.24 in October. A negative return of $2.97 per head is projected in April with a feedlot cost of gain of $119.50.

Cattle futures closed higher Friday with likely positioning, helped along by stronger cash fed cattle prices as the week wore on.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 51¢ higher, except for 32¢ lower in newly minted away Oct. However, they were an average of $9.06 lower week to week.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.60 higher on Friday (35¢ to $2.92 higher). They were an average of $3.84 lower week to week.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were moderate in the Southern Plains on Friday, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live prices were $185/cwt., which was steady in the Texas Panhandle and steady to $1 higher in Kansas.

Elsewhere, trade was slow on moderate demand. Although too few to trend, there were some FOB live trades in Nebraska at $186 and a few in the beef at $290-$292.

Established FOB live prices for the week in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt were $2-$3 lower at $183-$185. Dressed delivered prices were $4 lower at $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 72¢ higher Friday afternoon at $307.57/cwt. Select was 43¢ higher at $280.12/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 636,000 head was 2,000 head fewer than the previous week and 31,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 26.8 million head was 1.3 million head fewer (-4.6%) than the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 21.9 billion pounds was 1.2 billion pounds less (-5.2%).

Net U.S. beef export sales of 17,400 metric tons (2023) for the week ending Oct. 19 were up noticeably from the previous week and up 72% from the prior four-week average, according to USDA’s weekly Export Sales report. Increases primarily were for South Korea, China, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Turning to row crops, Corn futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 2¢ to 6¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 14¢ to 19¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices mostly closed lower Friday. Besides week-end squaring, investors appeared to be rattled about higher third-quarter GDP and consumer spending than expected, and how that may push the Fed to raise interest rates further.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 366 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 19 points lower. The NASDAQ was up 47 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.63 to $2.33 higher through the front six contracts.

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Total pounds of beef in freezers Sept. 30 were 6% more than the previous month but 20% less than last year, according to the latest USDA Cold Storage report. Analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) say the year-over-year reduction was driven by similar declines in both boneless and beef cuts.

“Beef stores have failed to follow the normal seasonal trend of building substantially after June and are 55 million pounds behind the five-year average. If this trend continues, then it will likely allow wholesale meat values to rise,” LMIC analysts explain, in the latest Livestock Monitor. “However, USDA NASS’s Cold Storage report does not provide a product breakout, so the increases may not be evenly distributed across product types.”

Frozen pork supplies were down 1% from the previous month and down 14% from the previous year.

Total red meat supplies in freezers were up 2% from the previous month but were 17% less than the same time last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies were down 1% from the previous month and slightly less than a year earlier.

Cattle futures closed mostly lower Thursday, following stronger support early in the session.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.56 lower, except for 57¢ higher in expiring Oct. 

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 72¢ lower, (10¢ to $1.10 lower) except for 57¢ higher in waning spot Oct.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light to moderate demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend in any region, there were some FOB live trades in the Southern Plains at $183/cwt., in Nebraska at $183-$185 and in the western Corn Belt $183.

In established trade so far this week, FOB live prices are $2-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $183-$185. Dressed delivered prices are $4 lower in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt at $290.

Last week, FOB live prices were $184-$185/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $186-$187 in Nebraska.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 65¢ lower Thursday afternoon at 306.85/cwt. Select was $1.97 lower at $279.69/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 8¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 2¢ lower to fractionally higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

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

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 251 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 49 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 225 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.69 to $2.18 lower through the front six contracts.

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Global agricultural commodity prices this year are projected lower year over year but higher than the previous decade, according to the Baseline Update for International Agricultural Markets from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri.

“Many international commodity market prices surged in 2022. So far in 2023 prices have fallen in most cases, sometimes significantly as input costs have fallen, production recovered in key areas, and uncertainty regarding China’s economy weigh on the sector,” FAPRI analysts explain.

FAPRI projects global growth in real GDP for this year near 2.4% and below 3% for the remainder of the 7-year projection period.

“Inflation is expected to come under control and return to close to pre-COVID levels from 2024,” FAPRI analysts say. “Volatility in these markets in the near term is to be expected and it is important to note that the path these markets take will be more unpredictable than what is projected here (in the report). Furthermore, the numbers presented in this report should not be interpreted as forecasts but as projections.”

Cattle futures gained Wednesday, with apparent technical support, continued bullish long-term fundamentals and continued erosion in Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.47 higher (55¢ to $2.62 higher). 

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 60¢ higher (32¢ higher at the back to $1.12 higher in spot Oct).

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

So far this week, FOB live prices are $2-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $183-$185/cwt., and dressed delivered prices are $4 lower in Nebraska at $290 in a light test.

Last week, FOB live prices were $184-$185/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $186-$187 in Nebraska. Dressed delivered prices were $294.

Choice wholesale beef prices continued the seasonal turn higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.52 higher Wednesday afternoon at 307.50/cwt. Select was $2.34 lower at $281.66/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 7¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 8¢ to 14¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Wednesday, pressured by disappointing quarterly earnings from Alphabet and resurgent 10-year Treasury yields.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 105 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 60 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 318 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.65 to $1.72 higher through the front six contracts.

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Food insecurity in the United States increased year over year in 2022, according to the recently published Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS).

Last year, 12.8% of U.S. households (17 million) were food insecure at some time during the year, meaning they had difficulty providing enough food for all their members because of a lack of resources, according to the report. In 2021, the number was 10.2%. It was 10.5% in 2020.

Moreover, 5.1% of U.S. households experience very low food security in 2022, compared to 3.8% in 2021 and 3.9% in 2020. Very low food security means the food intake of some household members was reduced and normal eating patterns were disrupted.

“The 2022 Household Food Security in the United States report is a sobering reminder that, while the vast majority of Americans are able to affordably feed themselves and their families, too many of our neighbors struggle to put healthy food on the table,” says Tom Vilsack, U.S. Agriculture Secretary. “These numbers are more than statistics. They paint a picture of just how many Americans faced the heartbreaking challenge last year of struggling to meet a basic need for themselves and their children.”

The typical (median) food-secure household spent 15% more on food than the typical food-insecure household of the same size and composition, according to the report. Estimates include food purchases with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

“About 55% of food-insecure households in the survey reported that in the previous month, they participated in one or more of the three largest Federal nutrition assistance programs,” according to the report. Those programs are: SNAP; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the National School Lunch Program.

Cattle futures found some stability following the previous session’s massive selloff but still eased mostly lower as early support faded.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 52¢ lower, except for $1.80 higher in spot Oct and an average of 49¢ higher in the back two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 29¢ lower in four contracts to an average of 51¢ higher (12¢ to $1.75 higher).

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

Established FOB live prices in the western Corn Belt are $183-$185/cwt., which is $2-$3 lower than last week.

Last week, FOB live prices were $184-$185/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $186-$187 in Nebraska. Dressed delivered prices were $294.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.44 higher Tuesday afternoon at 305.98/cwt. Select was $2.98 higher at $284.00/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 6¢ lower with harvest pressure.

Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 9¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 7¢ to 9¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Tuesday, helped along by stronger quarterly earnings than expected from the likes of Coca-Cola and Spotify.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 204 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 30 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 120 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed 97¢ to $1.75 lower through the front six contracts.    

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Along with the continued high percentage of heifers on feed, Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University notes the continued pace of beef cow slaughter.

“Monthly slaughter data through September shows that total female (cow + heifer) slaughter has averaged 51.8% of total cattle slaughter for the past twelve months,” Peel explains, in his weekly market comments. “This is the highest 12-month average female slaughter percentage since August 1986 … Year-to-date beef cow slaughter is down 12.9% from last year but will still result in a net culling rate over 11.5%, indicating continued liquidation. The beef cow herd will be smaller in January 2024, and it increasingly looks like the best that could happen in 2024 is to stabilize the herd with significant growth delayed until 2025 or beyond.”  

In sum, Peel explains smaller beef cow inventories are ahead, along with more dramatic reductions in cattle slaughter and beef production – and higher cattle prices – when herd rebuilding takes flight.

“This process looks to continue into 2026 at least,” Peel says. “The latest Cattle on Feed report may be taken as bearish for cattle markets in the short term, but it is certainly bullish for cattle markets in the coming years.”  

The bearish monthly Cattle on Feed report ravaged Cattle futures Monday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.51 lower ($4.20 to $7.35 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $5.44 lower ($3.92 to $6.75 lower).

Through mid-morning Tuesday, Cattle futures were recovering some of the losses.

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

FOB live prices last week were $184-$185/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $186-$187 in the North. Dressed delivered prices were $294.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 84¢ lower Monday afternoon at 304.54/cwt. Select was $2.32 higher at $281.02/cwt.

Corn futures xlosed mostly 1¢ to 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 9¢ to 15¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then 5¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed mostly lower Monday, with follow-through pressure from rising U.S. Treasury yields.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 190 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 7 points lower. The NASDAQ was up 34 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.63 to $2.59 lower through the front six contracts.   

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Based on the recent Cattle on Feed report, Josh Maples, Extension livestock economist at Mississippi State University points out the percentage of heifers on feed is the highest in 20 years at 40%.

“There are two sides of this,” Maples explains in the latest Cattle Market Notes Weekly. “Heifers are helping to boost inventories now which could be viewed somewhat negatively for prices in the short term but also fewer heifers retained means a smaller calf crop next year which can be viewed as supporting high price levels in the longer term. To me, this report shut down any ideas that herd expansion is happening or will happen in 2023 and that discussion will shift toward whether expansion occurs in 2024.”

Maples also notes the increase in feedlot placements, which surprised many.

“It likely reflects producers selling now to take advantage of strong markets but also some producers being forced to sell feeder cattle a little earlier than expected due to expanding drought in many areas. This is especially true for swaths of the Southeast when drought conditions have gotten severe,” Maples says. “Looking ahead at price expectations, it is worth noting that the current strong market prices have not really reflected herd rebuilding efforts yet. The rebuilding phase will include holding back more heifers which will mean fewer heifers sold as feeder cattle. Combined with smaller calf crops as a whole, this will be the point when feeder cattle supplies get really tight and that prices have the strongest supply-side support.”

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.