Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service, with too few transactions to trend.
Last week, prices were at $114/cwt. on a live basis in the Southern Plains and Northern Plains, and at $114-$115 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $180-$182.
The average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $114.23/cwt. on a live basis, which was 61¢ more than the prior week. The average steer price in the beef was $181.33, which was $2.01 higher.
Cattle futures found some traction Monday amid relatively light trade, following the late-week decline. Support included lower Corn futures, higher outside markets, stronger wholesale beef prices and the neutral Cattle on Feed report.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 40¢ higher.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 28¢ higher, expect for unchanged in Apr.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 96¢ higher Monday afternoon at $230.95/cwt. Select was $3.10 higher at $223.05.
Corn futures closed 5¢ to 8¢ lower in the front three contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.
Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ lower, after 1¢ higher in the front two contracts.
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