Negotiated cash fed cattle prices last week were $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $122/cwt. and unevenly steady in Nebraska at $122. Dressed trade in Nebraska was $1 higher at $196. Dressed prices in the western Corn Belt were $196, compared to $195-$202 the previous week; no established trend for live trade.
Through Thursday, the average five-area direct fed steer price was $121.05/cwt., 40¢ more than the previous week. The average steer price in the beef was $197.49, which was 70¢ more.
Cattle futures softened further Friday amid week-end and month-end position squaring.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 60¢ lower.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ lower (5¢ to $1.02 lower).
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.24 higher Friday afternoon at $278.46/cwt. Select was $2.37 higher at $259.19/cwt.
Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 649,000 head was 1,000 more than the previous week and 13,000 more than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 19.24 million head is 826,000 more (+4.5%) than the same period last year.
Corn futures closed 10¢ 11¢ lower through new-crop contracts and then mostly 5¢ to 7¢ lower.
Soybean futures closed mostly 14¢ to 29¢ lower.
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