Negotiated cash fed cattle trade on Friday ranged from a standstill to mostly inactive on light demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, prices were $1 lower on a live basis in the Southern Plains at $108/cwt.; steady to $1 lower in Nebraska at $107-$108/cwt.; steady to $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $105-$107. Dressed prices were $1 lower in Nebraska at $169 and $1-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $167-$168.
The five-area direct weighted average steer price through Thursday was $107.61/cwt., which was 2¢ more than the previous week, but $3.35 less than the same week last year. The average steer price in the beef of $168.40 was 89¢ less than the prior week and $8.86 less than the same time last year.
Cattle futures took another step lower on Friday, pressured by lower cash prices, weaker wholesale beef values and increasing demand uncertainty.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 93¢ lower.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.25 lower (82¢ lower at the front to $2.77 lower).
Choice boxed beef cutout value was 45¢ lower Friday afternoon at $210.03/cwt. Select was $2.98 lower at $193.52.
Corn futures closed mixed, from 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.
Soybean futures closed 6¢ to 12¢ lower through May ’21 and then mostly 1¢ to 5¢ lower.
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