Negotiated cash fed cattle prices gained last week amid holiday-lightened trade. For the week, based on USDA reports available through Thursday, live prices were $2 higher in Nebraska at $140/cwt., $3 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $138 and $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $140. Dressed prices of $220-$222 were $3-$4 higher in Nebraska and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt.
Live Cattle futures traded sideways amid light trade on Friday. They closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 16¢ lower in the front three contracts to an average of 33¢ higher.
Feeder Cattle futures were traded lightly, too, but had the benefit of further erosion in front-month Corn futures. They closed an average of 81¢ higher (5¢ higher at the back to 95¢ higher toward the front), except for 35¢ lower in Sep.
Stronger cash prices and stabilizing wholesale beef prices enabled Cattle futures to gain from Monday through Friday.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.06 higher (42¢ to $1.60 higher). Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.15 higher during the same period ($2.37 higher at the back to $6.67 higher toward the front). The CME Feeder Cattle Index closed $5.99 higher week to week on Thursday at $165.21/cwt.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 78¢ higher on Thursday at $265.26, compared to Monday. Select was $3.05 higher at $258.23.
Grain futures lost ground throughout the week, due in part to rains in South America.
Corn futures closed an average of 17¢ lower on Friday through the front six contracts, compared to Monday, except for fractionally lower in spot Mar. During the same period, Soybean futures closed an average of 28¢ lower through the front six contracts.
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