Judging by estimated weekly cattle slaughter, the beef packing pace continues to improve but remains hindered.
Total cattle slaughter last week of 643,000 head was 7,000 head more than the previous week but 13,000 head less than the same week last year.
Oversold conditions and higher wholesale beef prices helped Cattle futures regain some ground Friday.
Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.31 higher Friday afternoon at $290.42/cwt. Select was $4.31 higher at $283.41.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 89¢ higher, except for unchanged in the back contract.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 71¢ higher (12¢ to $1.37 higher).
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, live prices were steady in the Texas Panhandle at $137/cwt., $1 lower in Kansas at $136, steady to $1 lower in Nebraska at $137 and steady in the western Corn Belt at $137-$139. Dressed trade was steady at $218.
Keep in mind, USDA will release Jan. 1 cattle inventory numbers Monday afternoon.
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