Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly slow on light to moderate demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, live prices were steady in the Southern Plains at $170/cwt., $2 higher in Nebraska at $178 and $1-$3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $178. Dressed prices in Nebraska were steady to $2 higher at $280-$282.
Stronger cash fed cattle prices in the North, coupled with erosion in Corn futures helped lift Cattle futures again on Friday.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 64¢ higher (17¢ to 77¢ higher).
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 49¢ higher.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.79 higher Friday afternoon at $301.10/cwt. Select was 33¢ higher at $283.94/cwt.
Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 642,000 head was 4,000 head fewer than the previous week and 15,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 12.6 million head was 423,000 head fewer (-3.3%) than a year earlier. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 10.3 billion pounds was 513.6 million pounds less (-4.7%).
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