Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light demand through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend in any region, there were some live sales in the Southern plains and Nebraska at $137/cwt. Early dressed trades were $218.
Last week, live prices were at $137/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $137-$138 in Nebraska and at $137-$139 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $218.
Cattle futures continued to lose ground Tuesday, unable to escape the uncertain packing pace and volatile outside markets.
Lower wholesale beef prices on the day, perhaps signaling a near seasonal top, added to Live Cattle angst. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 22¢ lower, except for an average of 29¢ higher in three contracts at either end of the board.
Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.12 lower Tuesday afternoon at $292.38/cwt. Select was $1.47 lower at $283.32.
Nearby Corn futures prices beyond the $6.00 mark added pressure to Feeder Cattle futures, which closed an average of $1.14 lower, except for 7¢ higher in spot Jan.
Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 8¢ higher.
Soybean futures closed mostly 11¢ to 13¢ higher after 4¢ to 9¢ higher in the front four contracts.
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