Cattle Current Daily—Jan. 13, 2025

Cattle Current Daily—Jan. 13, 2025

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on moderate demand in the Southern Plains and Nebraska through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Trade in the western Corn Belt was limited on light demand.

For the week, FOB live prices were $4 higher in the Southern Plains at 200-201/cwt., $3 higher in Nebraska at $203 and steady to $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $200-$203. Dressed delivered prices were $5 higher at $320.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.06 higher Friday afternoon at $332.84/cwt. Select was $5.79 higher at $314.14.

Week to week on Friday, Choice was $7.60 higher and Select was $17.42 higher.

Estimated beef production so far this year illustrates the slower year-over-year production pace, down 161.7 million pounds (-17.6%) compared to the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 870,000 head was 217,000 head fewer (-20%).

Cattle futures continued higher Friday, buoyed by higher cash fed cattle prices and stronger wholesale beef values.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.26 higher (75¢ higher at the back to $3.12 higher at the front). Week to week, they were an average of $6.07 higher ($5.22 to $7.52 higher). 

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 86¢ higher Friday (27¢ to $1.37 higher). Week to week, they were an average of $3.39 higher ($2.37 higher at the back to $4.27 higher in spot Feb).

Turning to the grain complex, Corn and Soybean futures bounced higher with help from cuts to yield and. Ending stocks in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed 14¢ to 15¢ higher in old-crop contracts and then mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher. Week to week, they were an average of 20’6¢ higher through old-crop contracts.

Soybean futures closed 16¢ to 26¢ higher through Jan ’26 and then 8¢ to 13¢ higher.

Kansas City Wheat futures closed mostly 2¢ to 5¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Friday, pressured by bullish employment numbers, which cast a pall over potential interest rate cuts.

Total non-farm payroll employment increased by 256,000 in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than expected. The unemployment rate was little changed at 4.1%.

Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 10¢ (0.3%) in December. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.9%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 696 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 91 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 317 points.

Crude oil futures surged on chatter about potential U.S. sanctions aimed at Russian oil carriers.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures on the CME closed $1.66 to $2.65 higher through the front six contracts.

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USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) increased expected five-area direct average fed steer prices in the January World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. Compared to the previous month, forecast prices increased $6 in the first quarter to $194/cwt., $5 in the second quarter to $194, $4 in the third quarter to $196, and by $5 for an annual average price of $196. Increased optimism stemmed from recent prices and continued strong beef demand.

Projected beef production this year of 25.8 billion pounds would be 1.2 billion pounds less (-4.4%) than last year’s estimated production.

2025-01-12T13:12:10-06:00

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