Cattle Current Podcast—March 23, 2026

Cattle futures were higher Friday, helped along by steady cash fed cattle prices.

Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.34 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.60 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.46 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $6.96 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light to moderate on moderate demand in the Southern Plains to moderate on moderate to good demand in Nebraska through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 lower in the Texas Panhandle at mostly $235/cwt. and steady elsewhere at mostly $235. Dressed delivered prices were mostly steady at mainly $372.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 19¢ lower Friday afternoon at $400.11/cwt. Select was 49¢ higher at $392.94. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $2.89 higher and Select was 70¢ higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 508,000 head was 17,000 head fewer than the previous week and 50,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 6.0 million head was 653,000 head fewer (-9.8%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 5.4 billion pounds was 429.8 million pounds less (-7.4%).

Grain and Soybean futures closed lower Friday on likely profit taking.

Kansas City HRW Wheat futures were 21¢ lower. Corn futures were 3¢ to 4¢ lower through Jly ‘27. Soybean futures were 5¢ to 7¢ lower through Aug ‘27.