Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ended the week with live prices $3 higher at $110/cwt. in Nebraska and the Southern Plains; $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $108-$110, according to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Dressed prices were at $172, which was $4 higher in Nebraska and $5-$8 higher in the western Corn Belt. Although prices were higher, some thought the market was poised to reap steeper gains.
Through Thursday, the five-area direct weighted negotiated fed steer price was $109.46/cwt. on a live basis, which was $3.11 more than the previous week but $5.69 less than the same week in 2019. The average steer price in the beef was $171.88, which was $6.58 more week to week but $10.07 less year over year.
Cattle futures closed sharply lower Friday, with much of the pressure seemingly tied to overbought conditions, week-end positioning and fears that escalating COVID-19 cases will take another whack at packer production.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.61 lower, from $1.10 lower toward the back to $2.57 lower toward the front.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.38 lower.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 52¢ lower Friday afternoon at $225.98/cwt. Select was $1.22 higher at $209.46.
Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.
Soybean futures closed mostly 4¢ to 9¢ higher through Nov ‘22 and then mostly unchanged.
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