Cattle futures were higher again Monday, as outside markets continued to improve.
Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.36 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.22 higher.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, FOB live prices were $4 lower in the Southern Plains at $204/cwt. and $2-$5 lower in the North at $208. Dressed delivered prices were $7-$8 lower at $327-$328.
Last week’s five-area direct weighted average FOB live fed steer price was $3.44 lower last week at $207.70/cwt. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $8.74 lower at $327.73.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.41 higher Monday afternoon at $335.63/cwt. Select was $1.89 higher at $315.85.
Grain and Soybean futures softened Monday with likely profit taking.
Toward the close and through Sep ’25 contracts, Corn futures were 1¢ to 6¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 13¢ to 14¢ lower. Soybean futures were 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.
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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Monday, led by tech stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 312 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 42 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 107 points.
Through midafternoon, West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) were 13¢ to 15¢ higher through the front six contracts.
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Nationwide, calves and feeder cattle sold $2-$6/cwt. lower in the North Central and Southeast regions, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Prices were $7-$12 lower in the South Central region.
“Quite a few sale barns in many areas noted lighter-than-normal supply partially due to the uncertainty in the markets,” AMS analysts say.
Trade volume for the week of 177,000 head reported at auction, direct and via video-internet was 55,000 head fewer than the previous week and about 29,000 head fewer than the same week last year.
Drought conditions in the Plains also could be contributing to lighter demand.