Cattle futures firmed and gained Thursday with more trader interest and perhaps more confidence wholesale price volatility may be gentler.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.62 higher ($1.15 to $2.75 higher).
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 42¢ higher (10¢ to 57¢ higher), except for 10¢ lower in the back contract.
Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ lower, except for 1¢ to 4¢ higher in the front four contracts.
Soybean futures closed mixed, 2¢ to 14¢ higher through Sep ’23 and then mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light on moderate demand in the Texas Panhandle to limited on moderate demand in the other regions through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Live prices were $1 lower in Nebraska on Wednesday at $156/cwt. and dressed prices were $1-$2 lower at $247.
Last week, live prices were at $155 in the Southern Plains and $157-$158 in the western Corn Belt where dressed prices were $248-$249.
Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.68 lower Thursday afternoon at $247.28/cwt. Select was 78¢ higher at $220.55/cwt
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