Cattle futures, especially Feeder Cattle bounced back Thursday with positive weekly export sales and supported by a rally in Lean Hog futures.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.09 higher ($1.07 to $2.52 higher).
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 65¢ higher.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
The only established trade so far this week is in Nebraska, albeit on a light test. FOB live prices are $1-$3 lower at $168/cwt. and dressed delivered prices are steady to $4 lower at $267-$268.
Last week, FOB live prices were $171 in the Southern Plains and $168-$171 in the western Corn Belt where dressed delivered prices were $268-$270.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 68¢ higher at $292.32/cwt. Select was 95¢ lower at $258.26/cwt.
Net U.S. beef export sales for 2023 were 10,600 metric tons (mt) the week ending Dec. 7. Sales were noticeably higher than the previous week and 67% more than the prior four-week average, according to USDA’s weekly Export Sales report.
Increases were primarily for South Korea, Japan, Mexico, China and Canada. Net sales for 2024 were primarily for Japan, South Korea, Canada, Mexico and Chile.
Grain and Soybean futures closed little changed to higher, bolstered by weekly export sales.
Corn futures closed unchanged to fractionally mixed.
KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 2¢ higher.
Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 7¢ higher.
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