Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on very light demand in the western Corn Belt through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Elsewhere, it was at a standstill.
Last week, prices in the Southern Plains were $2 higher on a live basis at $110/cwt., $5 higher in Nebraska at $110 and $1-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $106-$110. Dressed trade was $7 higher at $172.
The five-area direct weighted average steer price last week was $109.19/cwt. on a live basis, which was $3.07 more than the previous week. The average steer price in the beef was $6.51 more at $171.80, according to USDA’s weekly report.
The five-area direct weighted average fed heifer price was $109.68/cwt. on a live basis, which was $3.25 more week to week. The average dressed heifer price was $6.74 more at $171.91.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 21¢ higher Monday afternoon at $207.82/cwt. Select was $1.28 lower at $196.65.
Estimated total cattle slaughter for the week ending Dec. 26 was 419,000 head, which was 56,000 head fewer (-11.8%) than the same time a year earlier. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 31.7 million head was 1.1 million head fewer (-3.5%) than in 2019.
Total estimated beef production for the week of 352.5 million lbs. was 40.2 million lbs. less (-10.2%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 26.37 billion lbs. was 264.3 million lbs. less (-1%) than a year earlier.
Cattle futures closed mostly higher Monday, but off of session highs, supported by stronger cash prices late last week, higher outside markets and a winter storm aiming for the Corn Belt.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 46¢ higher.
Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed from an average of 9¢ lower to an average of 14¢ higher.
Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ higher.
Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 8¢ lower through Aug ’21, and then 1¢ to 4¢ higher.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS | More