Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from a standstill to mostly inactive with very light demand through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Last week live prices were at $138/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $140 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $220-$222.
The five-area direct average steer price last week of $139.59/cwt. on a live basis was $3.95 higher than the previous week. The average steer price in the beef was $3.58 higher at $220.89.
Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter through Dec. 27 was 32.66 million head, according to USDA. That was 958,000 head more (+3.0%) than a year earlier. Total estimated beef production of 27.05 billion lbs. was 694.4 million lbs. more (+2.6%).
Cattle futures eased lower Monday awaiting cash direction.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 38¢ lower, not counting newly minted away-Jun.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 45¢ lower.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 77¢ higher Monday afternoon at $266.03/cwt. Select was 67¢ higher at $258.90/cwt.
Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher, except for fractionally lower to 4¢ lower in the front four contracts.
Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 16¢ higher through Sep ‘23 and then 7¢ to 8¢ higher.
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