Cattle Current Podcast—Nov. 9, 2020

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices for the week were $1 higher than the previous week in the Southern Plains at $107/cwt. on a live basis, $4-$6 higher in Nebraska at $107/cwt., and $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $105-$106. Dressed trade was $2-$9 higher at $167, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Through Thursday, the five-area weighted average fed steer price was $106.35/cwt., $2.19 higher than the previous week, but $7.81 less than the same time a year earlier. The average steer price in the beef was $165.30, which was $5.60 less than the prior week and $16.11 less than the previous year.

Estimated total cattle slaughter for the week ending Nov. 7 of 647,000 would be 9,000 more than the previous week, but 10,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 27.4 million head is 1.06 million head fewer (-3.73%) than the same period last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 22.76 billion lbs. is 252.7 million lbs. less (-1.11%) than a year earlier.

Cattle futures closed mixed Friday, with Live Cattle edging higher and Feeder Cattle trading narrowly mixed. Support included the week’s higher cash prices and stronger wholesale beef values.

Cattle futures closed mixed Friday, with Live Cattle edging higher and Feeder Cattle trading narrowly mixed. Support included the week’s higher cash prices and stronger wholesale beef values.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 52¢ lower in the back three contracts to an average of 31¢ higher, except for unchanged in May.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.77 higher Friday afternoon at $214.32/cwt. Select was 48¢ lower at $198.49.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ higher, except for 2¢ to 3¢ lower in the front two contracts.