Cash fed cattle trade was unevenly steady through Friday afternoon … by one measure, farm wages are up 8% year over year… coming up on your Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade remained largely undeveloped through late Friday afternoon, at least in term of trades reported to USDA. Although too few to trend, early prices in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt were unevenly steady to a touch softer than the previous week. Early dressed sales were at $178/cwt. in both regions. Early live sales in the western Corn Belt were at $111.50-$112.00.
Late Friday, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association reported its members trading at $114, just a touch lower than the previous week’s weighted average.
Live Cattle futures mainly paddled sideways on Friday as traders awaited direction from the cash market. Feeder Cattle softened a bit, amid anemic trade volume.
Live Cattle futures closed mostly higher, from an average of 26¢ lower to an average of 45¢ higher.
Other than $1.32 lower in spot Jan and 15¢ lower in the back two contracts, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 69¢ lower.
Wholesale beef values were weak on Choice and steady on Select with light to moderate demand and offerings, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 64¢ lower Friday afternoon at $212.91/cwt. Select was 01¢ lower at $197.57.
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