Cattle Current Podcast—July 4-5, 2019

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade developed Wednesday on moderate trade and demand. Live prices were steady in the Southern Plains at $109/cwt., steady to $1.50 higher in Nebraska at $111-$113 and $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $112-$113. Although too few to trend, early dressed sales were steady to higher at $178-$180.

Likewise, 53 Kansas heifers sold for a weighted average price of $109 (1-17 day delivery) in the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction. That was out of an offering of 392 head.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 62¢ higher, from 40¢ higher at the back to $1.35 higher in spot Aug.

Feeder Cattle futures closed sharply lower, though, beaten down by light trade and the surge in grain futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.52 lower.

Wholesale beef values were weak to lower on light demand and moderate offerings, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.22 lower Wednesday afternoon at $219.25/cwt. Select was 63¢ lower at $195.36.

Corn futures closed mostly 12¢ to 19¢ higher through Jul ‘20, and then mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 9¢ to 10¢ higher though Aug ’20 and then mostly 6¢ higher.