Cattle futures continued lower Wednesday, with follow-through pressure from outside markets and concerns that beef demand may falter. Stronger Corn futures added weight.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.01 lower ($1.07 to $2.70 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 85¢ lower (30¢ to $1.07 lower), except for 10¢ higher in spot Oct.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to inactive on light demand through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, FOB live sales are steady in the Southern Plains at $183/cwt. and steady to $1 lower in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt at $184 in a light test. Dressed delivered prices in Nebraska are $2 lower at $290 (a few up to $291) and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $290-$292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.41 higher Wednesday afternoon at $300.95/cwt. Select was 59¢ lower at $278.51/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 10¢ to 15¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 4¢ to 7¢ higher.

Cattle futures closed sharply lower Tuesday, pressured by pessimistic outside markets, demand worries, and likely some month-end and quarter-end position squaring.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.56 lower ($1.27 to $5.82 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.88 lower (85¢ lower at the back to $2.85 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185-$186 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.94 lower Tuesday afternoon at $299.54/cwt. Select was $1.35 lower at $279.10/cwt. That’s the first time since May that Choice cutout dropped below $300.

Grain and soybean futures appeared to jockey for some position ahead of Friday’s Grain Stocks report.

Corn futures closed 1¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly fractionally mixed.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 4¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly fractionally higher.

Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 5¢ higher.

Cattle futures basically paddled in place Monday, looking for further direction and amid firmer Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 33¢ lower, except for 25¢ higher in the back contract.

Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 15¢ lower to an average of 19¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $183/cwt., steady in Nebraska at $184-$185 and steady to $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $185-$186. Dressed delivered prices were steady at $292.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price was 69¢ higher on a live basis at $184.73/cwt. and 15¢ higher in the beef at $291.99.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.85 lower Monday afternoon at $301.48/cwt. Select was 2¢ higher at $280.45/cwt.

Grain and soybean futures strengthened on Monday.

Corn futures closed 2¢ to 4¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Cattle futures bounced back from the previous day’s widespread commodity and equity sell-off, supported by stronger-late-week cash fed cattle prices and ongoing bullish fundamentals.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.34 higher (82¢ to $1.62 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.48 higher ($1.22 to $2.10 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $183/cwt., steady in Nebraska at $184-$185 and steady to $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $185-$186. Dressed delivered prices were steady at $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.40 higher Friday afternoon at $303.33/cwt. Select was $1.43 higher at $280.43/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 625,000 head was 7,000 head fewer than the previous week and 46,000 head fewer (-6.9%) than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 23.6 million head was 1.1 million head fewer (-4.3%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 19.3 billion pounds was 1 billion pounds less (-5.1%) than a year earlier.

Grain and soybean futures firmed on Friday.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

Cattle futures and other commodity futures closed lower Thursday with the higher dollar and apparent fund selling tied to yesterday’s comments from the Fed suggesting interest rates will stay higher for longer. Wariness over Friday’s Cattle on Feed report could have added pressure.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.31 lower (90¢ lower in spot Sep to $2.87 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.80 lower ($1.57 to $2.02 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to a standstill through Thursdayafternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Dressed delivered prices were steady in Nebraska at $292/cwt. FOB live prices last week were $184-$185.

Elsewhere last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $185 in the western Corn Belt, where dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 67¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $301.93/cwt. Select was 32¢ higher at $279.00/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales (2023) of 13,700 metric tons were up noticeably from the previous week and up 15% from the prior four-week average, according to the U.S. Export Sales report for the week ending Sept. 14. Increases primarily for Japan, South Korea, China, Mexico and Canada.

Turning to row crops, grain and Soybean futures closed lower with the pressure from outside markets.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 7¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 18¢ lower through May ‘25 and then mostly fractionally lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 16¢ to 26¢ lower.

Cattle futures rebounded Wednesday with thoughts of steady to higher cash fed cattle prices this week and perhaps some early positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.48 higher (55¢ to $2.20 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.08 higher (76¢ to $1.37 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were a few live trades in Nebraska at $186/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 86¢ lower Wednesday at $301.26/cwt. Select was $3.10 lower at $278.68/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 6¢ higher Wednesday, bolstered by trade worries over a commercial cargo vessel in the Black Sea running into a mine.

KC HRW Wheat closed fractionally lower to 2¢ lower through May ‘24 and then fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 9¢ higher.

Cattle futures closed lower again Tuesday, at a more modest pace, with follow-through pressure from oversold status and awaiting the week’s cash fed cattle trade direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 72¢ lower (35¢ to $1.60 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 56¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.20 lower Tuesday afternoon at $302.12/cwt. Select was $1.63 lower at $281.78/cwt.

Corn futures firmed in the front months, buoyed by recent crop ratings. They closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ higher through Jly ‘25.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 4¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ lower through Aug ‘24 and then unchanged to fractionally higher.

Cattle futures took a breather from the steamy rally and closed lower Monday on likely profit taking.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.34 lower ($1.70 lower at the back to $3.52 lower toward the front).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 84¢ lower (25¢ to $1.40 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $182-$183/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184-$185 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 39¢ lower Monday afternoon at $305.32/cwt. Select was 29¢ higher at $283.41/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 8¢ to 12¢ lower through Sep ‘25 and then 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 15¢ to 23¢ lower.

Cattle futures extended gains Friday, supported by higher cash fed cattle prices.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.29 higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.92 higher ($2.20 higher in spot Sep to $3.35 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to slow on light to moderate demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were $2-$3 higher in the Southern Plains at $182-$183/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $184-$185 and $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $185. Dressed delivered prices were $2 higher in Nebraska at $292 and $2-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $292.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 66¢ lower Friday afternoon at $305.71/cwt. Select was $3.74 lower at $283.12/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 632,000 head was 73,000 head more than the previous week, but 41,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 23.0 million head was 1.03 million head fewer (-4.3%) than the same period last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 18.8 billion pounds was 999.1 million pounds less (-5.0%).

Turning to grains, Corn futures closed fractionally lower to 4¢ lower with likely early harvest pressure. KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 5¢ to 10¢ higher through Jly ‘25 and then mostly fractionally higher. Soybean futures closed 16¢ to 20¢ lower.

Cattle futures rallied sharply higher Thursday, despite the lack of weekly cash fed cattle direction as traders seemed to focus on looming tighter fourth-quarter supplies.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.24 higher ($1.67 higher in spot Sep to $4.02 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.54 higher, in active trade.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were a few live delivered trades in Nebraska at $186.50/cwt.

The only established trade for the week is $184/cwt. for FOB live prices in the western Corn Belt, the upper end of last week’s range.

Last week, FOB live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $183-$184 in Nebraska. Dressed delivered prices were $290 in Nebraska and $288-$290 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.18 lower at $306.37/cwt. Select was 33¢ lower at $286.86/cwt.

Corn futures softened mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower on likely profit taking.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 3¢ to 6¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 11¢ higher.

Cattle futures sauntered lower Wednesday with traders awaiting weekly cash fed cattle direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.03 lower (20¢ to $2.20 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ lower, (2¢ to $1.00 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were a few live trades in the western Corn Belt at $184/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $183-$184 in the North.

Dressed delivered prices were $290 in Nebraska and $288-$290 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 48¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $307.55/cwt. Select was $3.41 higher at $287.19/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ higher Wednesday with apparent technical buying and support from wheat.

KC HRW Wheat closed 10¢ to 14¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

Cattle futures crept mostly higher Tuesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 54¢ higher, except for an average of 55¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 18¢ higher, except for an average of 8¢ lower in two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon with too few transactions to trend according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $183-$184 in the North.

Dressed delivered prices were $290 in Nebraska and $288-$290 in the western. Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.08 lower Tuesday afternoon at $308.03/cwt. Select was $1.66 lower at $283.78/cwt.

Corn futures faltered Tuesday, closing mostly 6¢ to 9¢ lower on the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, which pegged harvested acres and production higher than the trade expected.

KC HRW Wheat closed 4¢ to 7¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 22¢ lower.

Cattle futures rallied higher Monday, bolstered by higher cash fed cattle prices at the end of last week, as well as the bullish extended outlook.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.16 higher (87¢ higher in spot Sep to $2.65 higher toward the back).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 95¢ higher amid active trade.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand through Monday afternoon with too few transactions to trend according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt., $1-$2 higher in Nebraska at $183-$184 and steady to $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at $183-$184.

Dressed delivered prices were steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at $290 and steady to $2 lower in the western. Corn belt at $288-$290.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was 22¢ lower at $182.28/cwt. The average dressed steer price was 91¢ lower at $289.48.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.79 lower Monday afternoon at $310.11/cwt. Select was 61¢ lower at $285.54/cwt.

Corn futures firmed Monday, closing 2¢ to 3¢ higher with positioning ahead of Tuesday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 7¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 7¢ to 9¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to limited on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt. and steady to $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at $183-$184. Prices in Nebraska the previous week were $182.

Dressed delivered prices were steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at $290 and steady in the western Corn Belt at $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.24 higher Friday afternoon at $312.90/cwt. Select was 12¢ lower at $286.05/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter for the holiday-shortened week of 559,000 head was 70,000 head fewer than the previous week and 47,000 head fewer year over year. Year-to-date estimated cattle slaughter of 22.4 million head was 986,000 head fewer (-4.2%) than the same period a year earlier. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 18.3 billion pounds was 964.2 million pounds less (-5.0%).

Cattle futures crept higher Friday, supported by the uptick in cash fed cattle prices and softer Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 36¢ higher, except for 22¢ lower in spot Sep.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 42¢ higher, except for an average of 25¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 7¢ higher.

Cattle futures extended gains Thursday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.81 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 77¢ higher

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 8¢ to 12¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 16¢ lower through Aug ‘24 and then 7¢ to 9¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were a few dressed delivered prices in Nebraska at $290/cwt.

Last week, FOB live prices were $179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $178-$179 in Kansas, $182 in Nebraska and $183-$185 in the western Corn Bel

Dressed delivered prices were $290-$292 in Nebraska and $290 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.91 lower Thursday afternoon at $311.56/cwt. Select was $1.44 lower at $286.17/cwt.

Cattle futures basically tread water on Tuesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 33¢ lower in the front three contracts to an average of 19¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 19¢ higher, except for an average of 11¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $178-$179 in Kansas, $182 in Nebraska and $183-$185 in the western Corn Belt.

Dressed delivered prices were $290-$292 in Nebraska and $290 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 99¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $315.48/cwt. Select was 75¢ lower at $289.54/cwt.

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 6¢ higher through new-crop contracts and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher, supported by expected reduction in crop ratings.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed fractionally lower to 7¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 5¢ higher.

Cattle futures drifted lower Friday on pre-weekend positioning, sluggish trade and steady to softer cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.26 lower, except for $3.30 higher in newly minted away Aug

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ lower, except for $1.00 higher in new away Feb.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light to moderate demand in all regions through Friday afternoon with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Based on the latest established trade for the week, FOB live prices were steady to $1 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $179/cwt., steady to $1 lower in Kansas at $178-$179, $3 lower in Nebraska at $182 and $1-$2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $183-$185.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price through Thursday of last week was $182.69/cwt. on a live basis, which was $2.64 less than the previous week. The weighted average steer price in the beef was $2.03 lower at $290.62.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 70¢ higher Friday afternoon at $314.49/cwt. Select was $1.04 higher at $290.29/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week was 629,000 head, which was 3,000 head more than the previous week but 13,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 21.8 million head was 940,000 head fewer (-4.1%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 17.8 billion pounds was 925.6 million pounds less (-4.9%) year over year.

Turning to row crops, Grain and Soybean futures closed narrowly mixed Friday with some defensive positioning ahead of the long weekend.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mixed but mostly unchanged to 2¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 76¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 88¢ higher, except for lower in expiring Aug.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 76¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices on Thursday were mainly steady to lower than last week.

Trade was slow on light to moderate demand in the Texas Panhandle with FOB live prices steady to $1 higher at $179/cwt., according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

In Kansas, trade was slow to moderate on moderate demand with FOB live prices steady to $1 lower at $178-$179.

FOB live prices in Nebraska were $2-$3 lower at $182 on moderate trade and demand. There were a few live delivered trades at $186.50. Dressed delivered prices were $2-$3 lower at $290-$292.

In the western Corn Belt, FOB live prices were $1 lower at $184-$185 on slow to moderate trade and moderate demand. There were a few dressed delivered trades at mostly $290 but too few to trend. Prices in the beef last week were $292 in a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.32 lower Thursday afternoon at $313.79/cwt. Select was 28¢ lower at $289.25/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales (2023) of 18,200 metric tons (MT) for the week ending Aug. 24 were 59% more than the previous week and 35% more than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.

Grain and Soybean futures closed lower Thursday on likely continued month-end position squaring.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 3¢ to 8¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 16¢ to 18¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed lower Wednesday with traders awaiting the week’s cash trade.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.25 lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.41 lower, from $2.20 lower in waning spot Aug to 80¢ lower at the back of the board.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices last week were $178-$179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $179 in Kansas, $185 in Nebraska and $182-$187 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292 in Nebraska and $292-$295 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 75¢ higher Wednesday afternoon at $315.11/cwt. Select was 15¢ lower at $289.53/cwt.

Grain and Soybean futures closed lower Wednesday with likely month-end position squaring.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 7¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

FOB live prices last week were $178-$179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $179 in Kansas, $185 in Nebraska and $182-$187 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292 in Nebraska and $292-$295 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.68 lower Tuesday afternoon at $314.36/cwt. Select was $2.41 lower at $289.68/cwt.

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Tuesday with an apparent consolidation breather.

Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed. from unchanged to an average of 26¢ lower in two contracts to an average of 17¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 11¢ lower in three contracts to an average of 15¢ higher.

Nearby Corn and Soybean futures gave up the ghost late in the session, presumably fueled in part by more positive weekly crop ratings than expected.

Corn futures closed 9¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 5¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 14¢ to 23¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 7¢ to 10¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 13¢ lower through May ‘24 and then mostly fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

Cattle futures rallied higher Monday, apparently buoyed by increasing open interest and trader focus on fundamentals.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.60 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 76¢ higher (2¢ to $1.12 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on very light demand in the western Corn Belt through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Elsewhere, trade was at a standstill.

Last week, FOB live prices were steady in the Southern Plains at $178-$179/cwt., $1-$3 lower in Nebraska at $184-$185 and steady to $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $185-$186. Dressed delivered prices were steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at $292-$295 and from $3 lower to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $292 on a light test.

The five-area direct weighted average steer price last week was $2.29 lower on a live basis at $182.75/cwt. The five-area average steer price in the beef was $1.01 lower at $292.75.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 86¢ lower Monday afternoon at $317.04/cwt. Select was 58¢ lower at $292.09/cwt

Turning to the grain complex, Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 8¢ higher. KC HRW Wheat closed 10¢ to 16¢ lower through May ‘24 and then 3¢ to 6¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 11¢ to 18¢ higher through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ to 4¢ higher.

Steady Corn futures prices, firmer cash fed cattle prices and the recent uptick in wholesale beef prices helped Cattle futures rise on Friday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 95¢ higher (45¢ to $1.17 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 69¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate demand in the Texas Panhandle through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. FOB live trades were steady at $178-$179/cwt.

Trade in Kansas was slow on light to moderate demand with FOB live prices steady at $179.

Trade in Nebraska was limited on light demand with too few transactions to trend. For the week, live FOB prices were steady to $3 lower at $185. Dressed delivered prices were steady to $2 lower at $292-$295.

In the western Corn Belt, trade was slow on light demand with too few transactions to trend. For the week, FOB live prices were $1-$3 lower at $185. Dressed delivered prices the previous week were $290-$295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 27¢ higher Friday afternoon at $317.90/cwt. Select was 76¢ higher at $292.67/cwt. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $1.79 higher and Select was $4.31 higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 626,000 head was 10,000 head more than the previous week but 52,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 21.2 million head was 928,000 head fewer (-4.2%) than the same period last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 17.3 billion pounds was 917.8 million pounds less (-5.0%) than the same time last year.

Turning to the grain complex, Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower. KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 2¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 16¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow to moderate on light to moderate demand in Nebraska through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Dressed delivered prices were $2.00 to $2.50 lower at $292-$292.50/cwt. There were a few FOB live trades at $184-$186 and a few delivered live trades at $189.50, but too few to trend. FOB live prices there last week were $185-$188.

Trade was limited on light to moderate demand in the western Corn Belt where FOB live prices were $1-$3 lower $185. There were a few dressed delivered trades at $292, but too few to trend; $290-$295 last week.

In the Southern Plains, trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill. FOB live prices last week were $178-$179 in the Texas Panhandle and $179 in Kansas.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 58¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $317.63/cwt. Select was 32¢ higher at $291.91/cwt.

Cattle futures closed higher Thursday, helped along by increasing open interest.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.97 higher ($1.47 to $2.37 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.47 higher ($1.22 to $2.05 higher).

Corn futures closed narrowly mixed, from mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly fractionally lower to 5¢ to lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 8¢ to 12¢ higher.

Although sideways, Cattle futures wobbled Wednesday as traders added risk premium back to Corn futures, which closed 9¢ to 11¢ higher through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 17¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 28¢ lower, except for 18¢ higher in May ’24.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 35¢ higher, except for an average of 16¢ lower in two contracts.

Through mid session today, Cattle futures are stronger.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $178-$179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $179 in Kansas, $185-$188 in Nebraska and $186-$188 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $294-$295 in Nebraska and $290-$295 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was unchanged Wednesday afternoon at $317.05/cwt. Select was $2.08 higher at $291.59/cwt.

Cattle futures gave back most of what they gained in the previous session, amid sluggish trade and a lack of weekly cash direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.16 lower (88¢ to $1.43)

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 93¢ lower, (53¢ to $1.25 lower).

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 5¢ lower, with follow-through pressure from last week’s positive crop progress and ratings.

KC HRW Wheat closed unchanged to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 18¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all trading regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. 

Last week, FOB live prices were $178-$179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $179 in Kansas. $185-$188 in Nebraska and $186-$188 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $294-$295 in Nebraska and $290-$295 in the western Corn Belt.

However, wholesale beef prices were up. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.49 higher Tuesday afternoon at $317.05/cwt. Select was $2.18 higher at $289.51/cwt.

Cattle futures closed higher Monday, supported by the bullish Cattle on Feed report and lower Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.84 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 74¢ higher, (45¢ to $1.12 higher).

There was no afternoon report from AMS for negotiated cash fed cattle trade.

Based on the latest available report, FOB live prices last week were $1-$3 lower in the Southern Plains at $177-$179, 50¢ to $3 lower in Nebraska at $185-$187.50 and $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at mainly $186. Dressed delivered prices were $1 lower to $2 higher at $294-$297.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price last week was $185.04/cwt. on a live basis, which was 84¢ less than the previous week. The five-area direct steer price in the beef was $1.84 lower at $293.76.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 55¢ lower Monday afternoon at $315.56/cwt. Select was $1.03 lower at $287.33/cwt.

Positive crop progress and conditions weighed on Corn futures Monday.

Corn futures closed 9¢ to 10¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 3¢ lower.

Wheat futures were down 7¢ to 12¢ on harvest pressure.

Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 8¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ higher, supported the hot, dry forecast and export news.

Cattle futures finally found some traction on Friday, perhaps fueled by position squaring ahead of the monthly Cattle on Feed report, which turned out to be bullish.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.21 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 53¢ higher, except for unchanged in the back contract.

Packers succeeded in holding cash fed cattle prices steady to mainly lower last week, while also ratcheting wholesale beef prices higher as they restrict production.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light to demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were some FOB live trades in the Texas Panhandle at $178/cwt. but too few to trend.

For the week, based on the latest established trends, FOB live prices were $1-$3 lower in the Southern Plains at $177-$179, 50¢ to $3 lower in Nebraska at $185-$187.50 and $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at mainly $186. Last week, dressed delivered prices were $1 lower to $2 higher at $294-$297.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.97 higher Friday afternoon at $316.11/cwt. Select was $2.10 higher at $288.36/cwt.

Total estimated cattle slaughter last week of 616,000 head was 13,000 head more than the previous week but 48,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date total estimated cattle slaughter of 20.6 million head was 876,000 head fewer (-4.1%) the the same time a year earlier. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 16.8 billion pounds was 876.8 million pounds less (-5.0%).

Hotter, drier weather helped lift grain futures again on Friday.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 6¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 14¢ to 20¢ higher through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 10¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 16¢ to 26¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 7¢ to 12¢ higher.

Cattle futures continued lower Thursday with follow-through pressure from stronger Corn futures, steady to lower cash fed cattle prices, declining open interest and perhaps some defensiveness ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.51 lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 72¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to light on moderate demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, FOB live prices are $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $179/cwt., steady to mostly $2 lower in Nebraska at $185-$188 and steady to mostly $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at mainly $187.

Last week, dressed delivered prices were $295.

Wholesale beef prices continued to trend higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.15 higher Thursday afternoon at $314.14/cwt. Select was $1.49 higher at $286.26/cwt.

Hotter, drier weather helped Corn futures firm further Thursday; fractionally higher to 4¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 4¢ to 11¢ lower through May ‘25 and then fractionally higher.

Soybean futures closed 2¢ to 9¢ higher through May ‘24 and then 10¢ to 15¢ higher.

Cattle futures continued to edge lower Wednesday, pressured by an uptick in Corn futures and steady to lower cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 35¢ lower, except for an average of 8¢ higher in two contracts.

Grain futures firmed overnight and through yesterday’s session as traders added some risk premium based on recent Russian attacks in Ukraine.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 11¢ to 18¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mainly limited on light to moderate demand through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, FOB live prices are $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $179/cwt. and steady in the western Corn Belt at $188.

Last week, FOB live prices in Nebraska were $188. Dressed prices were $295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.73 higher Wednesday afternoon at $308.99/cwt. Select was $1.74 higher at $284.77/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light demand in the Western Corn Belt through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live FOB prices were steady at $188/cwt. Dressed delivered prices last week were $295/cwt.

Elsewhere, trade ranged from inactive on light demand to a standstill with too few transactions to trend.

Last week live FOB prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska, where dressed delivered prices were $295

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.76 higher Wednesday afternoon at $307.26/cwt. Select was $2.58 higher at $283.03/cwt.

However, Cattle futures edged lower Tuesday, pressured by lower outside markets as much as anything.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 27¢ lower, except for 5¢ higher in the back contract.

Live Cattle futures an average of 56¢ lower. 

Weaker outside markets and improved crop conditions weighed on grain and Soybean futures Tuesday.

Corn futures closed 9¢ to 12¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 5¢ to 6¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 13¢ to 16¢ lower through Mar ‘25.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 29¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then 7¢ to 10¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed lower Monday on lackluster trade and static to declining open interest.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.08 lower.

Live Cattle futures an average of 61¢ lower. 

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live FOB prices last week were steady at $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $188 in the north where dressed delivered prices were steady at $295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.89 higher Monday afternoon at $305.50/cwt. Select was $3.22 higher at $280.45/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 18¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 9¢ to 15¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light to moderate demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, FOB live prices were steady in both regions at $188/cwt. and dressed-delivered prices were also steady at $295.

Trade in the Southern Plains ranged from inactive on light demand in Kansas to a standstill in the Texas Panhandle. The previous week, FOB live prices were $180 in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 58¢ higher Friday afternoon at $302.61/cwt. Select was 57¢ lower at $277.23/cwt.

Total estimated cattle slaughter last week of 603,000 head was 10,000 head fewer than the previous week and 42,000 head fewer (-6.5%) than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 19.3 million was 830,000 head fewer (-4.0%) than the same time last year. Estimate year-to-date beef production of 16.3 billion pounds was 836.9 million pounds less (-4.9%) than the same time last year.

Cattle futures closed lower Friday on likely profit taking ahead of the weekend.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures an average of 84¢ lower. 

Grain and Soybean closed lower Friday, pressured by the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates coming in with expected yield cuts (see below).

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 11¢ to 13¢ lower through May ‘24 and then mostly 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 14¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures an average of 81¢ higher. 

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although there were too few transactions to trend in any region, there were some early FOB live trades in the western Corn Belt at $188-$189/cwt and a few in Kansas at $186.

Last week, FOB live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $295 in a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.49 lower Thursday afternoon at $302.03/cwt. Select was 97¢ lower at $277.80/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales (2023) for the week ending Aug. 3 of 14,800 metric tons were 19% more than the previous week, but 8% less than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for South Korea, Japan, China, Mexico and Hong Kong, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report.

As for the other side of the ledger, Grain and Soybean futures firmed Thursday with likely positioning ahead of Friday’s widely anticipated World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, with forecast yields top of mind for many.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 10¢ higher, except for old-crop contracts.

Weaker corn futures and an uptick in wholesale beef prices helped lift Cattle futures Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 77¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures an average of 39¢ higher. 

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $295 in a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.13 higher Wednesday afternoon at $303.52/cwt. Select was $1.98 higher at $278.14/cwt.

Favorable weather, and perhaps skittishness ahead of Friday’s WASDE, pressured grain futures on Wednesday.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 3¢ to 6¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 4¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly fractionally higher.

Firmer Corn futures helped pressure Feeder Cattle futures an average of $1.10 lower Tuesday (55¢ lower at the back to $1.67 lower).

Live Cattle futures narrowly mixed, unchanged to an average of 36¢ lower in the front five contracts and then an average of 49¢ higher. 

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were at a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $295 in a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 90¢ higher at $302.39/cwt. Select was $1.15 higher at $276.16/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $1-$2 higher in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt. Live-delivered prices in Kansas were $184.00-$185.50. Live FOB prices were $2 higher in Nebraska at $188 and $1-$3 high in the western Corn Belt at $188. Dressed-delivered prices were $1-$3 higher at $295 in a light test.

The five-area direct weighted average steer price was $1.89 higher last week on a live basis at $186.70/cwt. The weighted average fed steer price in the beef was $1.51 higher at $295.14.

Even so, Cattle futures closed lower Monday on potential profit taking and retrenching.

Live Cattle futures an average of 96¢ lower (55¢ lower at the back to $1.20 lower in spot Aug). 

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.27 lower.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 30¢ lower Monday afternoon at $301.49/cwt. Select was $1.47 lower at $275.01/cwt.

Turning to the grain complex, Corn and Soybean futures closed lower Monday on positive weekend rains.

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 24¢ to 38¢ lower through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 8¢ to 15¢ lower.

However, KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 10¢ to 11¢ higher.

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, helped along by the weekly decline in Corn futures and the hint of higher cash prices.

Live Cattle futures an average of $1.40 higher (92¢ higher at the back to $2.40 higher in spot Aug). 

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.91 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle demand and trade were moderate in the western Corn Belt through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, live FOB prices were $2-$3 higher at $188/cwt. Dressed delivered prices the previous week were $294-$295.

Elsewhere, trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to limited on light demand.

Although too few to trend, there were a few live delivered sales in Kansas at $184.00-$185.50 and a few live FOB sales in Nebraska at $188.

The previous week, live FOB prices were $178-$179/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $186 in Nebraska, where dressed delivered prices were $292-$295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 22¢ lower Friday afternoon at $301.79/cwt. Select was $1.83 lower at $276.48/cwt.

Corn and Soybean futures firmed on Friday but continued to be capped by the favorable weather outlook.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 10¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 9¢ to 12¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were a few live FOB sales in the western Corn Belt at $188/cwt., but too few to trend.

Last week, live FOB prices were $178-$179/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $186 in Nebraska, and $185-$186 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292-$295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.17 lower Thursday afternoon at $302.01/cwt. Select was 84¢ higher at $278.31/cwt.

Cattle futures on Thursday mainly regained what was lost in the previous session as traders returned the focus to fundamentals rather than the selloff triggered by the downgrading of U.S. credit.

Live Cattle futures an average of 76¢ higher (12¢ to $1.17 higher). 

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.35 higher.

Corn futures continued lower Thursday with the more favorable production outlook coupled with continued anemic international demand.

Corn futures closed 6¢ to 7¢ lower through May ‘24 and then mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 9¢ to 19¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Commodity and equity markets saw widespread selling Wednesday on the news that Fitch Ratings downgraded the long-term credit rating for United States.

The lack of weekly cash fed cattle price direction and profit taking may also have pressured Cattle futures.

Live Cattle futures an average of 86¢ lower (50¢ lower at the back to $1.47 lower in spot Aug). 

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.15 lower (57¢ lower toward the back to $1.80 lower toward the front).

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 10¢ to 17¢ lower through Dec ‘24 and then 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 14¢ to 20¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 8¢ to 9¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live FOB prices were $178-$179/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $186 in Nebraska, and $185-$186 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292-$295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.92 lower Wednesday afternoon at $303.18/cwt. Select was $2.13 lower at $277.47/cwt.

A surge in wholesale beef prices helped lift Live Cattle futures on Tuesday. They closed an average of $1.27 higher on strong volume (50¢ higher at the back to $2.30 higher near the front).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.22 higher ($1.65 higher at the back to $2.87 higher in spot Aug).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.32 higher Tuesday afternoon at $306.10/cwt. Select was $1.87 higher at $279.60/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live FOB prices were $178-$179/cwt. in the Southern Plains $186, in Nebraska, and $185-$186 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $292-$295.

Corn futures eroded further Tuesday, closing 4¢ to 7¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 5¢ to 11¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 10¢ higher.

Despite another day of lower Corn futures, Feeder Cattle futures paddle in place on Monday, closing an average of 33¢ lower, except for unchanged to an average of 12¢ higher in the front three contracts.

Softer cash fed cattle prices last week and continued erosion in open interest helped cap Live Cattle, which closed an average of 46¢ lower, from 7¢ to 70¢ lower.

Live-delivered prices in Kansas were $182.50 to $184. In Nebraska, FOB live trades were mostly $2 lower at mainly $186 on a light test, but a few up to $188.50. Live prices in the western Corn Belt were $1-$3 lower at 185-$187. Dressed delivered prices were steady to $3 lower in Nebraska at $292-$295 and steady to $1 lower in the western Corn belt at $294-$295.

Trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $1.38 lower on a live basis at $184.81/cwt. The weighted average steer price in the beef was $1.09 lower at $293.63.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 22¢ lower Monday afternoon at $301.78/cwt. Select was 19¢ higher at $277.73/cwt.

Significantly cooler and wetter weather forecasted for the Corn Belt pushed grain and Soybean futures sharply lower Monday.

Corn futures closed 15¢ to 17¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 8¢ to 10¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 23¢ to 43¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 31¢ to 50¢ lower.

Feedlots and packers continued their standoff on negotiated cash fed cattle trade, which remained largely undeveloped through Friday afternoon. Trade ranged from slow on light demand to a standstill, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were a few FOB live sales in the western Corn Belt at $185-$186/cwt., but too few to trend.

Last week, live prices (FOB) were $180/cwt in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt, where dressed prices (FOB) were $295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 86¢ lower Friday afternoon at $302.00/cwt. Select was $2.22 lower at $277.54/cwt.

Further erosion in Corn futures helped Feeder Cattle futures close an average of 77¢ higher Friday.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 10¢ lower in the back three contracts to an average of 15¢ higher.

Corn futures continued to decline Friday, pressured by more favorable weather in the Corn Belt and less risk premium tied to Ukrainian grain shipments. They closed 11¢ to 12¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 6¢ to 9¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 4¢ to 10¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 2¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 8¢ to 15¢ lower through Jan ‘25 and then mostly 2¢ lower

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade remained undeveloped through Thursday afternoon. There were a few FOB live sales in the western Corn Belt at $186/cwt., but too few to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices (FOB) were $180/cwt in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt, where dressed prices (FOB) were $295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 48¢ lower Thursday afternoon at $302.86/cwt. Select was 5¢ lower at $279.76/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales of 21,400 metric tons (2023) for the week ending July 20 were 2% more than the previous week and 43% more than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for South Korea, Japan, China, and Canada.

Eroding front-month Corn futures supported Feeder Cattle futures again on Thursday. They closed an average of 54¢ higher, except for an average of 7¢ lower in two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 31¢ lower, except for an average of 13¢ higher in two contracts.

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 7¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed fractionally mixed to 1¢ higher through Sep ’24 and then 3¢ to 6¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 22¢ lower.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 88¢ higher Wednesday, supported by lower Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 16¢ lower to an average of 33¢ higher.

Sharp volatility continued in grain futures, Wednesday, with traders apparently retrieving a chunk of recent risk premiums.

Corn futures closed 13¢ to 17¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then 4¢ to 9¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 18¢ to 47¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ lower, except for 30¢ and 18¢ higher in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices (FOB) live prices were $180/cwt in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt, where dressed prices (FOB) were $295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 88¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $303.34/cwt. Select was $2.26 higher at $279.81/cwt.

Lower Corn futures helped Feeder Cattle futures firm Tuesday and close narrowly mixed, from an average of 15¢ lower to an average of 34¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 75¢ lower, except for 37¢ higher in in the back contract, with pressure tied, in part, to eroding open interest.

Corn futures softened Tuesday with likely profit taking, closing mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 4¢ to 6¢ higher through Mar ‘25.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices (FOB) live prices were $180/cwt in the Southern Plains and $188 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt, where dressed prices (FOB) were $295.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 6¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $304.22/cwt. Select was 56¢ higher at $277.55/cwt.

Feeder Cattle futures took stepped lower Monday, pressured by sharply higher Corn futures and Friday’s bearish Cattle on Feed report which indicated June feedlot placements were 2.7% more than the previous year and 4.6% more that the average of analyst expectations ahead of the report.

Headlines of Russia bombing Ukrainian ports fueled grain and Soybean futures Monday.

Corn futures closed 27¢ to 33¢ higher through the front five contracts and then 9¢ to 19¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 46¢ to 58¢ higher through Jly ‘24 and then 32¢ to 40¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 19¢ to 22¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures faded most of the heat, supported by last week’s stronger cash trade.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.08 higher (32¢ to $1.82 higher), except for an average of $1.24 lower in the front three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on very light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices (FOB) were $2 higher in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt., $2 higher in Nebraska at $188 and $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $188. Dressed prices (FOB) were $3-$5 higher in Nebraska at $295 and steady to $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $295.

The weighted average five-area fed steer price last week was $1.92 higher at $186.19/cwt. on alive basis. The weighted average dressed fed steer price was $3.38 higher at $294.72.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.42 higher Monday afternoon at $304.16/cwt. Select was 26¢ higher at $276.99/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow to moderate with moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices in the Texas Panhandle were $2 higher (compared to two weeks earlier) at $180/cwt. Live prices in Kansas were unevenly steady at $180 (a few up to $187) with live delivered prices at $184-$185. Prices in Nebraska were mostly $2 higher at $188 with a few up to $190. In the western Corn Belt, live prices were mostly $3-$4 higher at $188.

Dressed prices (FOB) in Nebraska were $8-$10 higher at $300.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 18¢ higher Friday afternoon at $302.74/cwt. Select was $2.02 higher at $276.73/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 628,000 head was 5,000 head fewer than the previous week and 35,000 head fewer (-5.3%) than the previous year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 18.1 million head was 700,000 head fewer (-3.7%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 14.8 billion pounds was 735.5 million pounds less (-4.7%).

As for futures, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 40¢ lower Friday, except for an average of 6¢ higher in two contracts.

Conversely, stronger cash prices and softer Corn futures helped Feeder Cattle futures gain an average of $1.11. They could be challenged Monday, however, with what will likely be considered a bearish Cattle on Feed report (see below).

Corn futures softened again with likely profit taking. They closed 7¢ to 10¢ lower through Dec ‘24 and then 5¢ to 6¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 14¢ to 15¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower, except for 6¢ and 2¢ higher in old-crop contracts.

Cattle futures strengthened during much of Thursday’s session but closed lower, perhaps with some defensiveness ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report, as well as the Semiannual Cattle report. So far, these reversals have represented a breather rather than a top.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 74¢ lower (35¢ to $1.05 lower).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 71¢ lower (15¢ to $1.70 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow to moderate in the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices were $3-$4 higher than last week at $188/cwt.

There were a few live sales in Nebraska at $188 on limited trade and light demand, but too few to trend.

Last week, live prices were $186/cwt. in Nebraska and $175-$184 in Kansas on a light test. Dressed prices were $290-$292 in Nebraska and $290-$295 in the western Corn Belt. Live prices in the Texas Panhandle the previous week were $178.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.03 lower Thursday afternoon at $302.56/cwt. Select was $1.25 lower at $274.71/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ lower on likely profit taking.

KC HRW Wheat closed mixed, from 8¢ lower to 8¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mixed, mostly 5¢ to 6¢ lower through Mar ’24 and then mostly 2¢ to 4¢ higher.

Traders continued to add risk premium to grain and Soybean futures Wednesday.

Corn futures closed mostly 9¢ to 18¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 31¢ to 41¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 12¢ to 14¢ higher.

Higher Corn futures weighed on Feeder Cattle, which closed an average of 61¢ lower (27¢ to $1.20 lower), except for an average of 10¢ higher in the back two contracts.

However, recent cash strength and cattle feeders’ continued resolve to hold cattle helped push Live Cattle future an average of 43¢ higher (5¢ to 75¢ higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $186/cwt. in Nebraska, $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt and $175-$184 in Kansas on a light test. Dressed prices were $290-$292 in Nebraska and $290-$295 in the western Corn Belt. Live prices in the Texas Panhandle the previous week were $178.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.09 lower Wednesday afternoon at $303.59/cwt. Select was 65¢ lower at $275.96/cwt.

Stronger fed cattle prices last week and increasing fundamental strength helped lift Live Cattle futures an average of 83¢ higher on Tuesday (30¢ higher near the back to $1.30 higher toward the front).

However, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.13 lower, pressured by a bounce in Corn futures.

Grain and Soybean futures strengthened as the Black Sea Grain Initiative expired amid Russia’s increased aggression in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Increasing weather premiums could have also been in play.

Corn futures closed mostly 19¢ to 29¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 17¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 9¢ to 14¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $186/cwt. in Nebraska, $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt and $175-$184 in Kansas on a light test. Dressed prices were $290-$292 in Nebraska and $290-$295 in the western Corn Belt. Live prices in the Texas Panhandle the previous week were $178.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.10 lower Tuesday afternoon at $304.68/cwt. Select was 87¢ lower at $276.61/cwt.

Stronger fed cattle prices last week and increasing fundamental strength helped lift Live Cattle futures an average of 83¢ higher on Tuesday (30¢ higher near the back to $1.30 higher toward the front).

However, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.13 lower, pressured by a bounce in Corn futures.

Grain and Soybean futures strengthened as the Black Sea Grain Initiative expired amid Russia’s increased aggression in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Increasing weather premiums could have also been in play.

Corn futures closed mostly 19¢ to 29¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 17¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 9¢ to 14¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $186/cwt. in Nebraska, $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt and $175-$184 in Kansas on a light test. Dressed prices were $290-$292 in Nebraska and $290-$295 in the western Corn Belt. Live prices in the Texas Panhandle the previous week were $178.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.10 lower Tuesday afternoon at $304.68/cwt. Select was 87¢ lower at $276.61/cwt.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher again Tuesday, driven by more positive quarterly corporate earnings than expected from such notables as Bank of America.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 76 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 17 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 131 points.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil futures (CME) closed $1.38 to $1.60 higher through the front six contracts.

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Based on recent price strength and tightening cattle supplies, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) increased expected feeder steer prices (750-800 pounds, Oklahoma City) in the July Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.

“In the first half of 2023, feedlot placements, as well as feeder and stocker sales receipt data, point to a faster pace than what was expected at the beginning of this year,” ERS analysts explain. “Further, improving pasture conditions, relatively cheaper corn prices, and the prospect for higher fed cattle prices have fueled feeder cattle sales. In turn, this likely lowers the expected supply for feeder cattle available in the second half of 2023, which will likely further elevate feeder cattle prices.”

Compared to the previous month, projected prices increased $17 in the third quarter to $241/cwt. and $20 in the fourth quarter to $246. The 2023 annual price increased $9.87 to $220.49. Prices were projected $23 higher for the first quarter of 2024 at $245. The forecast 2024 feeder steer price increased $23.75 to $245.

As mentioned recently in Cattle Current, the ERS also increased expected fed steer prices (five-area direct) for the remainder of this year to $178/cwt. in the third quarter and $183 in the fourth quarter for an annual average price of $175.24. Next year’s annual average fed steer price was forecast to be $183.50.

“Fed steer prices in the 5-area marketing region established a new record for the week ending June 11 of $188.75/cwt.,” ERS analysts say. “This was likely buoyed by a boost in packer margins supported by weekly comprehensive wholesale boxed beef values in June that climbed as high as 24% above year-ago levels at $325.29/cwt. for the week of June 23.”

Cash strength and weaker Corn futures helped lift Feeder Cattle futures Monday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.80 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 18¢ lower in three contracts to an average of 34¢ higher (7¢ to 75¢ higher).

Apparently, the trade wasn’t buying reports of Russia pulling out of the Black Sea Grain initiative, set to expire on Tuesday without renewal. Grain futures were stronger right after the reports but lost ground throughout the session.

Corn futures closed mostly 6¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 7¢ to 13¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 7¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on very light demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were generally $3 higher in Nebraska at $186/cwt., $1-$2 higher in the western Corn belt at $184-$185 and from $3 lower to $6 higher in Kansas at $175-$184. Dressed prices were steady to $2 higher in Nebraska at $290-$292 and steady to $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $290-$295.

Live prices in the Texas Panhandle the previous week were $178.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price last week was $2.21 higher on a live basis at $184.27/cwt. The average fed steer price in the beef was $1.35 higher at $291.34.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 84¢ higher Monday afternoon at $306.78/cwt. Select was 87¢ lower at $275.74/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light to moderate demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices in the western Corn Belt were $183-$186/cwt., which was $1-$2 higher than the previous week when dressed prices were $290.

Although too few to trend, there were a few live sales in Nebraska at $186 and a few in the beef at $291. Prices the previous week were $183.00-$186.50 and $290, respectively.

Trade in the Southern Plains remained inactive on very light demand. Prices the previous week were $178.

Live Cattle futures closed higher Friday, buoyed by stronger cash prices in the North, dragging Feeder Cattle along.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.02 higher ($1.15 at the back to $3.27 higher in spot Aug).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.97 higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 97¢ lower Friday afternoon at 305.94/cwt. Select was $3.57 lower at $276.61.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week was 633,000, which was 94,000 head more than the previous holiday-shortened week. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter was 17.5 million head, which was 662,000 head fewer (-3.6%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 15 billion pounds was 709.6 million pounds less (-4.7%).

Turning to the grain complex, Grain and Soybean futures closed higher Friday, supported by the lower U.S. dollar and the looming deadline to extend the Black Sea Grain initiative.

Corn futures closed mostly 7¢ to 13¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 4¢ to 9¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 22¢ to 23¢ higher.

Traders seemed to reconsider their initial reaction to Wednesday’s WASDE, fueling gains in Corn and Soybeans. The looming deadline to extend the Black Sea Grain initiative may have added support.

Corn futures closed mostly 12¢ to 16¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 29¢ to 43¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 5¢ higher.

The bounce higher in Corn futures weighed on Cattle futures Thursday, especially Feeder Cattle.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.36 lower (57¢ to $1.42 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ lower, except for unchanged and 2¢ higher in two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all regions through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.07 lower Thursday afternoon at 306.91/cwt. Select was 92¢ lower at $280.18/cwt.

Although USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) surprised some by making yield adjustments in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates — those usually come later in the growing season — Corn futures fell with higher estimated ending stocks.

Corn futures closed 12¢ to 22¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 7¢ to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 25¢ to 32¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 7¢ to 16¢ lower.

Even so, Cattle futures closed lower on the day following strong action earlier; perhaps driven by profit taking.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.20 lower (57¢ to $1.42 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.48 lower (62¢ to $1.95 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive with very light demand in all regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $178/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $183.00-$186.50 in Nebraska and $182-$184 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.14 lower Wednesday afternoon at $310.98/cwt. Select was 86¢ lower at $281.10/cwt.

Cattle futures continued to churn higher Tuesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 97¢ higher. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 94¢ higher (40¢ to $1.77 higher).

Corn and Soybean futures closed higher on likely positioning ahead of Wednesday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 12¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 6¢ 8¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive with very light demand in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $178/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $183.00-$186.50 in Nebraska and $182-$184 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.67 lower Tuesday afternoon at $312.12/cwt. Select was $2.09 lower at $280.24/cwt.

Stellar cash demand for calves and feeder cattle, along with steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices last week helped Cattle futures extend gains Monday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 65¢ higher (10¢ higher at the back to $1.00 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 40¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive with very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were steady to $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $178/cwt., $1.00 to $1.50 higher in Nebraska at $183.00-$186.50 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $182-$184. Dressed prices were steady at $290.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price last week was $182.06 on a live basis, up 73¢ from the previous week. The average fed steer price in the beef was 65¢ higher at 289.99.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.11 lower Monday afternoon at $313.79/cwt. Select was $3.30 lower at $282.33/cwt.

Corn and Soybean futures closed higher on likely profit taking and positioning ahead of Wednesday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 17¢ to 27¢ higher through Aug ’24 and then mostly 12¢ to 15¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 3¢ to 7¢ lower

Lower Corn futures and producer leverage demonstrated by the week’s cash fed cattle trade helped push Cattle futures higher on Friday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.58 higher ($1.80 at the back to $3.27 higher toward the front).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.13 higher (42¢ higher near the back to $2.42 higher at the front).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow with light to moderate demand in the North, to limited on light demand in the South through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were steady to $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $178/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $183-$185 and steady to $3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $183-$184. Dressed prices were steady at $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value Friday afternoon was $2.97 lower at $316.90/cwt. Select was $4.34 lower at $285.63/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter for the holiday-shortened week of 539,000 head was 108,000 head fewer than the previous week and 49,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 16.8 million head was 3.6% less year over year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 13.8 billion pounds was 676.9. million pounds less (-4.7%).

Corn and Soybean futures closed lower on a wetter weekend outlook and perhaps some positioning ahead of next week’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, which will be USDA’s first opportunity to make adjustments to forecast yields. 

Corn futures closed mostly 6¢ to 12¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 16¢ to 21¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 21¢ to 25¢ lower.

Feeder Cattle futures continued to adjust lower, down an average of $2.32 amid a bounce in Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 39¢ lower with apparent pressure from sliding seasonal wholesale beef values.

Corn futures bounced back Thursday with a gloomier weather outlook. They closed 12¢ to 18¢ higher through Jly ‘24, and then 6¢ to 7¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed lower on oversold conditions. They were down 15¢ to 24¢ lower through Jan ‘24, and then 7¢ to 12¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mixed, fractionally lower to 6¢ lower through May ’24 and then 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand to mostly inactive on very light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

On light trade, live prices were steady to $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $178/cwt. and unevenly steady in the western Corn Belt at $179-$184, where dressed prices last week were $290.

Last week, live prices in Nebraska were $180-$183 on a live basis and $290 in the beef.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.91 lower Thursday afternoon at $319.87/cwt. Select was $2.72 lower at $289.97/cwt.

Cattle futures showed signs of modest correction Wednesday as traders await direction from the week’s cash market.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.79 lower ($2.17 to $3.25 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.14 lower (72¢ to $1.87 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive with very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $179/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $178 in Kansas, $182-$185 in Nebraska and $180-$183 in the western Corn Belt at $180-$183. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.56 lower Wednesday afternoon at $322.78/cwt. Select was $1.61 lower at $292.69/cwt.

Wheat futures bounced higher Wednesday amid selling fatigue and concerns about Russia’s sword rattling.

KC HRW Wheat closed 25¢ to 50¢ higher.

Corn and Soybean futures held their own with static week over week crop conditions.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher, except for the front two contracts.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 8¢ higher through Aug ‘24, and then 11¢ to 13¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $1 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $179/cwt., $2 lower in Kansas at $178, steady in Nebraska at $182-$185 and $2-$4 lower in the western Corn belt at $180-$183. Dressed prices were steady at $290.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $181.33/cwt. on a live basis, which was $1.24 lower than the previous week. The average fed steer price in the beef was 47¢ lower at $289.34.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 62¢ higher Monday afternoon at $328.34/cwt. Select was 67¢ higher at $294.30/cwt.

Cattle futures mostly held their ground Monday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 63¢ higher (32¢ to $1.17 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 17¢ lower in the front four contracts to an average of 34¢ higher.

Corn futures firmed some Monday with likely support from rallying Soybeans.

Corn futures closed mixed, mostly 2¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 22¢ to 31¢ higher, building on Fridays Acreage report.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ to 6¢ lower.

Cattle futures climbed Friday as Corn futures slid on the bearish Acreage report (see below).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.03 higher ($3.15 to $5.20 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.51 higher (65¢ higher at the back to $2.67 higher in new spot Aug).

Week to week on Friday, Feeder Cattle futures were up an average of $11.10 and Live Cattle futures were up an average of $3.68.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly slow with light to moderate demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few to trend, there were a few live trades in the Texas Panhandle at $179/cwt. and at $182-$183 in the western Corn Belt. There were a few dressed trades in Nebraska at $290.

The only established trade for the week was in Kansas where live prices were $2 lower at $178.

Last week, live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains $182-$185 in Nebraska and $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 33¢ lower Friday afternoon at $327.72/cwt. Select was $3.55 lower at $293.63/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 644,000 head was 5,000 head fewer than the previous week but 3,000 more than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 16.3 million head was 580,000 head (-3.4%) less. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 13.34 billion pounds was 635.6 million pounds less (-4.5%).

Cattle futures continued to gain Thursday on Corn weakness.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.41 higher (90¢ to $2.12 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 43¢ higher.

Corn futures closed 6¢ to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 4¢ lower, except for gains in the front four contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 7¢ to 10¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly limited on light demand to mostly inactive on light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

There were a few live trades in Nebraska at $182/cwt., but too few to trend.

So far this week, live sales in Kansas are $2 lower at $178.

Last week, live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains $182-$185 in Nebraska and $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value 15¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $328.05/cwt. Select was 50¢ higher at $297.18/cwt.

Feeder Cattle futures maintained upward momentum as Corn futures continued to decline.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.32 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 75¢ higher through Feb ‘24 (32¢ to $1.37 higher) and then unchanged to an average of 48¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live sales in Kansas are $2 lower at $178/cwt.

Last week, live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains $182-$185 in Nebraska and $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.33 lower Wednesday afternoon at $327.90/cwt. Select was $1.75 lower at $296.68/cwt.

More rain forecast for the Corn Belt took grain and Soybean futures lower for the second consecutive session.

Corn futures closed 20¢ to 33¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then 3¢ to 10¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 28¢ to 44¢ lower through Jan ‘24 and then mostly 22¢ to 24¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 18¢ to 33¢ lower. 

Cattle futures rallied Tuesday, buoyed by declining Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.02 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.55 higher ($1.22 to $2.05 higher).

Corn futures took a sharp step lower, pressured by more rain forecast in the Corn Belt and despite deteriorating crop conditions displayed in the previous day’s weekly Crop Progress report. Keep in mind Acreage and Grain Stocks reports out Friday.

Corn futures closed mostly 15¢ to 27¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 20¢ to 29¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 17¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 20¢ to 28¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from light on light demand in the Southern Plains to mostly inactive on very light demand through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few to trend, there were a few live sales in Kansas at $178/cwt.

Last week, live prices were $180 in the Southern Plains $182-$185 in Nebraska and $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.81 lower Tuesday afternoon at $329.23/cwt. Select was $1.24 lower at $298.43/cwt.

Although Friday’s Cattle on Feed report seemed to bring pressure early in the session, the reaction faded quickly as the day progressed in Cattle futures amid light trade.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 61¢ higher, except for an average of 17¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 29¢ lower to an average of 13¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $180/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $182-$185 in Nebraska and $184-$185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $2.35 lower on a live basis at $182.57/cwt. The average fed steer price in the beef was $6.26 lower at $289.81.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 97¢ lower Monday afternoon at $333.04/cwt. Select was 29¢ lower at $299.67/cwt.

Grain and Soybean futures closed mostly higher Monday, balancing weekend rains across much of the Corn Belt with geopolitical tensions in Russia.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 5¢ higher, except for mostly fractionally mixed from near Sep through near May.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 26¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 9¢ to 12¢ higher. 

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 5¢ higher.

Weather forecasts continued to whipsaw grain markets on Friday with Corn and Soybean futures closing sharply lower on the wet weekend outlook for the Corn Belt, as well as overbought conditions.

Corn futures closed mostly 22¢ to 32¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 18¢ to 29¢ lower through Jly ‘24 (except for 6¢ and 14¢ lower in the front two contracts) and then mostly 6¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 10¢ to 18¢ lower.

Feeder Cattle futures surged an average of $2.80 higher Friday ($2.20 to $3.27 higher) as Corn futures slid lower.

Live Cattle futures tread water with pressure from the week’s softer cash trade and lower wholesale beef prices. They closed an average of 17¢ higher, except for an average of 23¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend in any region, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt., $3-$4 lower in Nebraska at $182-$185 and $2-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $184-$185. Dressed prices were $6 lower in Nebraska at $290 and $6-$10 lower in the western Corn Belt at $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 46¢ lower Friday afternoon at $334.01/cwt. Select was $3.84 lower at $299.96/cwt. The Choice Select spread was the highest since last October at $34.05.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 649,000 head was 15,000 head more than the previous week, but 16,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 15.6. million head was 587,000 head less (-3.6%) that the same time last year. Year-to-date estimated beef production of 12.8 billion pounds was 638 million pounds less (-4.7%).

Cattle futures found some traction Thursday with a let up in Corn futures and perhaps some short covering.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.24 higher (40¢ to $1.72 higher).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.07 higher ($2.55 to $3.45 higher).

Corn and Soybean futures took a breather Thursday from the recent steep run-up.

Corn futures closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 14¢ to 40¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 6¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 5¢ to 6¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to mostly inactive on very light demand through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend in any region, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt., $3-$4 lower in Nebraska at $182-$185 and $2-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $184-$185.

Last week, dressed prices were $296 in Nebraska and $294-$300 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 22¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $334.47/cwt. Select was 45¢ lower at $303.80/cwt.

Corn and Soybean futures bounced sharply higher Wednesday, fueled by the eroding crop conditions revealed in the weekly Crop Progress report and spawned by intensifying drought in the Corn Belt.

Corn futures closed mostly 20¢ to 31¢ higher through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 10¢ to 18¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 23¢ to 37¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 15¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 27¢ to 37¢ higher.

Those gains cast a bearish shadow across Feeder Cattle futures, which closed an average of $3.67 lower ($2.92 to $4.42 lower).

Live Cattle faded most of the heat, supported by current cash premiums and despite lower cash fed cattle prices so far this week and recent sharp declines in wholesale beef values. Live Cattle closed an average of 34¢ lower, except for 12¢ and 5¢ higher in the front two contracts.

Keep in mind the monthly Cattle on Feed report comes out Friday.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to slow on light demand through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $180/cwt. and $2-$3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $184-$185, where dressed prices last week were $294-$300.

Although too few to trend, there were some live sales in Nebraska at $182-$185. Last week, live prices there were $185-$189 on a live basis and $296 in the beef.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.66 lower Wednesday afternoon at $334.25/cwt. Select was $3.68 lower at $304.25/cwt.

Cattle futures started the trading week lower with pressure from last week’s weaker fed cattle prices, increasing feed costs, lower wholesale beef values and bearish outside markets.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.49 lower ($1.02 to $2.02 lower).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.25 lower ($1.47 to $2.77 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $182/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $185-$189 in Nebraska and $186-$188 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $296 in Nebraska and $294-$300 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.23 lower Tuesday afternoon at $336.91/cwt. Select was $2.83 lower at $307.93/cwt.

Corn and Soybean futures retained last week’s sharp gains on Tuesday as new-crop conditions erode (see below).

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 6¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 7¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly narrowly mixed from 4¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $3-$4 lower in the Southern Plains at $182/cwt., $2-$5 lower in Nebraska at $185-$189 and $2-$4 lower in the western Corn Belt at $186-$188. Dressed prices were $4 lower in Nebraska at $296 and steady to $4 lower in the western Corn Belt at $294-$300.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price for the week was $3.83 lower at $184.92 on a live basis. The weighted average in the beef was $3.14 lower at $296.07.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.95 lower Monday afternoon at $340.14/cwt. Select was 9¢ lower at $310.76/cwt.

Futures markets and equity markets were closed Monday in observance of Juneteenth.

Cattle futures continued to bounce back Friday with another day of higher wholesale beef values and perhaps some positioning ahead of the long weekend.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.26 higher. They were an average of 92¢ higher week to week.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 71¢ higher (42¢ to $1.02 higher). Week to week on Friday, they closed an average of $3.56 lower ($3.20 to $4.07 lower).

That was with Corn and Soybean futures continuing to chug higher, riding the rails of drought worries.

Corn futures closed mostly 13¢ to 24¢ higher through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 9¢ to 11¢ higher. Week to week, they were an average of 58’9¢ higher through the front six contracts.

Soybean futures closed 31¢ to 50¢ higher through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 20¢ higher. Week to week on Friday, there were about $1.20 higher through the front six contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 21¢ to 31¢ higher on Friday.

Live Cattle futures edged higher Thursday, supported by higher wholesale beef values. Live Cattle closed an average of 25¢ higher, except for 10¢ lower in the back contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow with light to moderate demand in the North to mostly inactive with very light demand in the South through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few to trend, there were some early live sales in Nebraska at $185/cwt. and $188 in the western Corn Belt. There were a few dressed sales in Nebraska at $294.00-$296.50.

Last week, live prices were $185/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $186 in Kansas, $189-$192 in Nebraska and $190 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $300 in Nebraska and $298-$300 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.01 higher Thursday afternoon at $342.07/cwt. Select was 32¢ higher at $309.58/cwt.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.53 lower, pressured by significantly higher Corn futures prices and the related stall to improving conditions.

According to the latest weekly U.S. Drought Monitor (beginning June 13), drought conditions existed in 25% of the continental U.S. versus 22% a week earlier. For the same time period, 42% of cattle inventory was affected by the drought, which was 2% more than the previous week and 6% more than two weeks earlier.

Cattle futures closed sharply lower Wednesday, apparently driven by fund selling and likely pressure from outside markets.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.53 lower ($1.97 to $2.95 lower).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.35 lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $185/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $186 in Kansas, $189-$192 in Nebraska and $190 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $300 in Nebraska and $298-$300 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.07 higher Wednesday afternoon at $339.06/cwt. Select was 22¢ lower at $309.26/cwt.

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 4¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally mixed.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 10¢ lower.

Cattle futures faded pressure early in Tuesday’s session to closer higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 70¢ higher (35¢ to $1.02 higher), except for 10¢ lower in the back contract.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.12 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $185/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $186 in Kansas, $189-$192 in Nebraska and $190 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $300 in Nebraska and $298-$300 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 56¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $337.99/cwt. Select was 76¢ lower at $309.38/cwt.

Deteriorating crop conditions helped boosted Corn and Soybean futures Tuesday. 

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 18¢ to 30¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 4¢ lower through May ‘24, and then 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, Live prices were $5-$10 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $185/cwt., $6-$8 higher in Kansas at $186, steady to $9 higher in Nebraska at $189-$192 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $190. Dressed prices were $8-$15 higher in Nebraska at $300 and $8-$10 higher in the western Corn Belt at $298-$300.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $188.75/cwt. on a live basis, which was $6.72 more than the previous week. The average fed steer price in the beef was $9.16 higher at $299.21.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.50 higher Monday afternoon at $337.43/cwt. Select was $4.53 higher at $210.24/cwt.

Last week’s strong gains in cash fed cattle prices and wholesale beef values helped lift Live Cattle futures higher on Monday, dragging Feeder Cattle along.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.24 higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 50¢ higher.

Corn futures closed mostly 10¢ to 18¢ higher, apparently driven once again by the latest weather outlook in the Corn Belt — drier this time.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 8¢ higher, except for lower in the front two contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly fractionally mixed through May ‘24, and then 3¢ to 4¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate with good demand in Kansas through Friday afternoon with prices $6-$8 higher at $186/cwt., according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live trade in Nebraska was slow on light demand. Live prices were $1-$2 lower than Wednesday at $189, but steady to $8 higher for the week at $189-$191. Dressed prices for the week were $8-$15 higher at $300.

Elsewhere, trade ranged from limited on light demand to mostly inactive with very light demand.

For the week, live prices were $5-$10 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $185 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $190, where dressed prices were $8-$10 higher at $298-$300.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.20 higher Friday afternoon at $332.93/cwt. Select was $1.61 higher at $305.71/cwt. Week to week on Friday, Choice was up $23 and Select was $14.78 higher.

Estimated weekly total cattle slaughter last week of 621,000 head was 48,000 head more than the previous holiday-shortened week but 50,000 fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 14.4 million head was 528,000 head fewer (-3.5%) than the same time a year earlier. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 11.8 billion pounds was 592.5 million pounds less (-4.8%) than a year earlier.

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Friday, despite strong weekly gains in cash cattle and wholesale beef values.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 38¢ lower to an average of 14¢ higher. Week to week on Friday, they closed an average of $1.71 lower ($1.05 to $2.17 lower), except for $1.80 higher in spot Jun.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 44¢ lower (15¢ to $1.00 lower) to an average of 21¢ higher. Week to week on Friday, they closed an average of $2.86 lower ($2.02 to $3.50 lower).

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ lower Friday, pressured by the bearish demand outlook proffered in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Soybean futures closed mostly 12¢ to 16¢ higher, boosted by soybean oil.

KC HRW Wheat closed 7¢ to 10¢ lower through May ‘24, and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower.

There was no afternoon negotiated cash fed cattle trade summary from AMS at press time but it sounded like feedlots in the Southern Plains were holding out for more money.

In the North, through Wednesday, dressed sales in Nebraska were $8-$15 higher at $300/cwt. and live sales in the western Corn Belt were $3-$5 higher at $190. Trade in the Southern Plains last week was at $175-$180.

Wholesale beef prices continued higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.54 higher Thursday afternoon at $328.73/cwt. Select was $2.54 higher at $304.10/cwt.

Both Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 90¢ lower, though bullish fundamentals remain.

Corn and Soybean futures closed higher with support from expanded drought coverage in the Corn Belt. Perhaps there was also positioning ahead of Friday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 12¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 14¢ to 18¢ higher, buoyed in part by Russia’s saber rattling over the Black Sea Initiative.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices continued higher Wednesday.

Dressed sales in Nebraska were $8-$15 higher at $300/cwt. on light trade and good demand. There were some early live sales at $188-$194, but too few to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices there last week were $183-$189.

Live sales in the western Corn Belt continued $3-$5 higher at $190 on light trade and good demand. Although too few to trend, there were some dressed sales at $300. Dressed prices there last week were $288-$292.

Trade in the Southern Plains was very limited on moderate to good demand with too few transactions to establish the market. Last week, live prices were $175-$180 in the Texas Panhandle and $178-$180 in Kansas.

Wholesale beef prices continued higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.79 higher Wednesday afternoon at $325.19/cwt. Select was $2.12higher at $301.56/cwt.

Even so, Cattle futures closed sharply lower amid likely technical selling and profit taking.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.34 lower (82¢ lower in spot Jun to $2.82 lower).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.76 lower ($2.72 lower at the back to $4.27 lower).

Another day and another forecast — wetter this time — pressured Corn and Soybean futures Wednesday.

Corn futures closed mostly 7¢ to 10¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 8¢ to 10¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 21¢ to 32¢ lower through Jly 24 and then 13¢ to 16¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices stepped $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt Tuesday at $190/cwt. according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Trade was slow on light to moderate demand. Dressed prices there last week were $288-$292.

There were a few early sales in Nebraska through Tuesday afternoon at $190 on a live basis and $300 in the beef, but too few to trend. Last week, live prices were $183-$189 and dressed prices were $285-$292.

Trade in the Southern Plains was mostly inactive with very light demand. Last week, live prices were $175-$180 in the Texas Panhandle and $178-$180 in Kansas.

Stronger cash fed cattle prices helped lift Cattle futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.60 higher (97¢ higher toward the back to $2.67 higher in spot Jun).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.27 higher (65¢ higher in spot Aug to $1.57 higher at the back).

Resurgent wholesale beef values added support. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $7.21 higher Tuesday afternoon at $321.40/cwt. Select was $2.71 higher at $299.44/cwt.

Corn futures closed 3¢ to 10¢ higher through Jly ‘24 Tuesday on a more bearish weather outlook.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 3¢ lower through May’24 and then 9¢ to 13¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Cattle futures continued higher Monday, helped along by surging wholesale beef prices and softer Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 47¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 68¢ higher.

Corn futures softened a touch Monday, following the previous session’s strong gains, perhaps pressured in part by rain forecast in the Corn Belt.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 4¢ to 10¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 5¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $175-$180/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $178-$180 in Kansas, $183-$189 in Nebraska and $185-$187 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $285-$292 in Nebraska and $288-$292 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.26 higher Monday afternoon at $314.19/cwt. Select was $5.80 higher at $296.73/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow with moderate demand to mostly inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $5-$9 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $175-$180/cwt., $7-$9 higher in Kansas at $178-$180, $3-$6 higher in Nebraska at $183-$188 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $185-$187. Dressed prices were $5-$6 higher in Nebraska at $285-$292 and $3-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $288-$292.

Through Thursday, the five-area direct weighted average fed steer price was $3.64 higher week to week at $181.35. The weighted average dressed steer price was $5.30 higher at $289.66.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.49 higher Friday afternoon at $309.93/cwt. Select was $4.61 higher at $290.93/cwt.

Week to week on Friday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $8.32 higher and Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.12 higher. On Friday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 31¢ higher and Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ higher.

Grain and soybean futures caught a gear higher Friday, with the latest U.S. drought monitor showing expanding dryness in the Corn Belt. It indicates 34% of U.S. corn and 28% of soybean production was affected by drought June 1.

Corn futures closed mostly 10¢ to 16¢ higher through Jly ‘24 and then 2¢ to 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 12¢ to 18¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 7¢ to 9¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices roared higher Thursday.

Trade in the Southern Plains was active with very good demand. Live prices were $5-$9 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $175-$180/cwt. and $7-$9 higher in Kansas at $178-$180.

Elsewhere, trade was moderate with very good demand. Live prices were $3-$6 higher in Nebraska at $183-$188 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt $185-$187. Dressed prices in Nebraska were $5-$6 higher at $285-$292. Last week, dressed prices in the western Corn Belt were $285.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 60¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $306.44/cwt. Select was 83¢ lower at $286.32/cwt.

The extraordinary ascent of cash fed cattle prices fueled another bounce in Cattle futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.65 higher ($2.25 higher at the back to $5.77 higher in spot Jun).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.38 higher ($2.47 to $4.20 higher).

Traders appeared to add weather premium to markets Thursday.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 19¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 18¢ to 29¢ higher though May ‘24 and then mostly 11¢ to 18¢ higher.

Another day of weaker Corn futures and the outlook for steady to stronger cash fed cattle prices this week helped Cattle futures extend gains Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.46 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 63¢ higher (25¢ higher in the spot month to $1.10 higher).

Expectations of record production in Brazil helped pressure Corn futures Wednesday.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 6¢ higher in the front three contracts and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 6¢ to 16¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service

Last week, live prices were $170-$171/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $171 in Kansas, $180-$182 in Nebraska and $182 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $280-$286 in Nebraska and $285 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 88¢ higher Wednesday afternoon at $305.84/cwt. Select was 62¢ lower at $287.77/cwt.

Last week’s strong cash fed cattle prices, recent higher wholesale beef prices and Tuesday’s break in Corn futures helped propel Cattle futures higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.24 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.53 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $170-$171/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $171 in Kansas, $180-$182 in Nebraska and $182 the western Corn Belt Dressed. prices were $280-$286 in Nebraska and $285 in the western Corn Belt.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $2.79 higher at $177.94/cwt. The average fed steer price in the beef was $4.02 higher at $284.36.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.03 higher Tuesday afternoon at $304.96/cwt. Select was $2.85 higher at $287.77/cwt.

Grain and Soybean futures closed sharply lower Tuesday as traders appeared to take back weather premium, as well as profits from last week’s rally. 

Corn futures closed mostly 6¢ to 10¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 22¢ to 35¢ lower in the front five contracts and then 8¢ to 12¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 30¢ to 41¢ lower through Aug ’24 and then 21¢ to 26¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures continued to grind higher, closing an average of 49¢ higher (5¢ higher at the front to 92¢ higher at the back), supported by stronger cash prices and wholesale beef values.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 75¢ lower in light trade, pressured by the bounce higher in Corn futures.

Grain and Soybean futures closed higher Friday as traders appeared to add weather premium with the dry, hot outlook in the Corn Belt for the next couple of weeks.

Corn futures closed mostly 10¢ to 18¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 5¢ higher in the front five contracts and then 13¢ to 15¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 17¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from inactive on light demand to limited on light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $171/cwt., $2-$4 higher in Nebraska at $180-$182 and $4-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $182. Dressed prices are $4-$5 higher in Nebraska at $285-$286 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $285.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.64 higher Thursday afternoon at $299.94/cwt. Select was 75¢ higher at $284.54/cwt.

Cattle futures continued to edge higher Thursday, supported by the week’s stronger cash prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ higher, except for unchanged at either end of the board.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 51¢ higher (25¢ to $1.20 higher in spot Jun).

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower Thursday with likely profit taking and positioning ahead of the long weekend.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly unchanged to 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 9¢ to 12¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow to moderate on moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Prices were $1 higher at $171/cwt.

In Nebraska, trade was slow to moderate with moderate to good demand. Live prices were $2-$4 higher at $180-$182 and dressed prices were $4-$5 higher at $285-$286.

Although too few to trend, there were some live sales in the western Corn Belt at $180-$182 on slow trade with light to moderate demand. Live prices there last week were $177-$178 on a live basis; $280-$282 in the beef.

Cattle futures blossomed with the higher cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.33 higher, (87¢ to $2.17 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.04 higher (60¢ to $1.82 higher).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.44 lower Wednesday afternoon at $298.30/cwt. Select was $2.51 higher at $283.79/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 3¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 15¢ to 29¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower.

Cattle futures traded mixed Monday, holding their own in the face of higher grain futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 36¢ higher, except for an average of 15¢ lower in two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 38¢ lower (10¢ to 70¢ lower) through Feb and then unchanged to an average of 10¢ higher.

Grain and Soybean futures bounced back some Monday with apparent technical resistance to the downside and perhaps some weather premium with the drier, hotter near-term outlook in parts of the Corn Belt.

Corn futures closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed fractionally higher to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 15¢ to 21¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday 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 steady to $3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $177-$178. Dressed prices were steady to $2 higher at $280-$282.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price was $1.02 higher last week at $175.15/cwt. The weighted average fed steer price in the beef was $1.36 higher at $280.84.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.80 higher Monday afternoon at $303.90/cwt. Select was 51¢ lower at $283.43/cwt.

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%).

Cattle futures stepped higher Thursday, supported by recently lower Corn futures, bullish cash strength for feeder cattle, cattle feeders’ resolve to hold the line on fed cattle prices and perhaps some positioning ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.83 higher ($1.55 to $3.35 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 78¢ higher.

Bearish sentiment continued in the grain complex.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 18¢ to 28¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light demand in the Texas Panhandle through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Prices were steady at $177/cwt.

Elsewhere, trade was limited on light demand. Although too few to trend, there were some live trades in the western Corn Belt at $178.

Last week, live prices were $170/cwt. in Kansas, mostly $176 in Nebraska and $175-$177 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $280.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 16¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $298.31/cwt. Select was 16¢ higher at $283.61/cwt.

Cattle futures closed mostly lower Wednesday, apparently with spillover pressure from apparent long liquidation in grain futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 88¢ lower (32¢ to $1.15 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 27¢ lower, except for an average of 58¢ higher in the front three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light to moderate demand in all regions through Wednesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $170/cwt. in the Southern Plains, mostly $176 in Nebraska and $175-$177 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $280.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.32 lower Wednesday afternoon at $298.15/cwt. Select was $1.46 lower at $282.89/cwt.

Grain and Soybean futures tumbled Wednesday. At least from a psychologic perspective, widespread selling appeared to be tied to the U.N. Secretary General’s announcement that Russia agreed to extend the Black Sea Grain initiative for another 60 days (see below). As well, private exporters reported the cancellation of sales of 272,000 metric tons of corn for delivery to China during the 2022/2023 marketing year.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 9¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 12¢ to 20¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 15¢ to 19¢ lower.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 35¢ higher, except for 80¢ and 72¢ lower at either end of the board, supported by continued erosion in Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ lower, awaiting cash direction.

Wheat futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ lower Tuesday with likely profit taking.

Corn futures closed 9¢ to 11¢ lower through Jly ‘24, and then mostly 7¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 19¢ to 36¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $170/cwt. in the Southern Plains, mostly $176 in Nebraska and $175-$177 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $280.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.51 lower Tuesday afternoon at $299.47/cwt. Select was 36¢ lower at $284.35/cwt.

Cattle futures, especially Feeder Cattle, extended gains Monday, closing an average of $1.34 higher (67¢ to $2.07 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ higher, except 7¢ lower in spot Jun.

That was with Corn futures closing 5¢ to 7¢ higher through Jly ‘24, on the coattails of Wheat futures (KC HRW), which closed 21¢ to 27¢ higher through May ‘24, fueled by follow-through support from the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, along with concerns about the Black Sea Initiative.

Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 10¢ higher through Jly ‘24.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive on light demand in all regions through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $170/cwt., mostly steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at mainly $176 and $1 lower to $3 higher in the western Corn belt at $175-$177. Dressed prices were $1 lower in Nebraska at $280 and steady to $5 lower in the western Corn Belt at $280.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price was 20¢ higher on a live basis last week at $174.13/cwt. but $1.46 lower in the beef at $279.48.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.63 lower Monday afternoon at $301.98/cwt. Select was 3¢ higher at $284.71/cwt.

Cattle futures closed higher Friday, supported by lower corn prices suggested by the monthly World Agricultural Supply Demand Estimates.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.20 higher on Friday and an average of $6.53 higher week to week ($2.95 to $8.20 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.02 higher ($1.65 higher toward the front to 12¢ higher at the back). They were an average of $2.27 higher week to week on Friday ($1.82 higher at the back to $2.95 higher toward the front).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light to moderate demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $2 lower in the Southern Plains at $170/cwt., mostly steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at mainly $176 and $1 lower to $3 higher in the western Corn belt at $175-$177. Dressed prices were $1 lower in Nebraska at $280 and steady to $5 lower in the western Corn Belt at $280.

Estimated cattle slaughter last week of 646,000 head was 23,000 head more than the previous week but 15,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated cattle slaughter of 11.9 million head was 386,000 head fewer (-3.1%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 9.8 billion pounds was 483.8 million pounds less (-4.7%).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.11 lower Friday afternoon at $304.61/cwt. Select was 10¢ higher at $284.68/cwt.

USDA’s Economic Research Service increased forecast fed steer prices (five-area direct) higher for the remainder of this year, in the latest monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). Prices were projected $3 higher in the second quarter at $172/cwt., and $2 higher in the third and fourth quarters at $164 and $169, respectively. The annual average price estimate increased $2 to $166.50.

“The 2023 cattle price forecast is raised on recent data and tighter supplies expected later in the year,” ERS analysts say. “For 2024, cattle prices are forecast above 2023 on tighter supplies.”

Estimated beef production this year would be 1.4 million pounds less than last year (-4.8%).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged inactive on light demand in the Southern Plains to moderate on moderate demand in the North through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some early sales in Nebraska at $175-$176/cwt. on a live basis and $280 in the beef, and at $176-$177 and $280 in the western Corn Belt.

On Wednesday, live trade in the Southern Plains was $2 lower at $170.

Last week, live prices were $176-$178 in Nebraska and $172-$178 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $281 in Nebraska and $280-$285 in the western Corn Belt.

The five-area direct monthly weighted average price for fed steers in April was $177.09/cwt., on a live basis, which was $35.43 (+25.0%) than a year earlier. The weighted average fed steer price in the beef was $285.28, which was $56.42 more (+24.6%) year over year.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.15 lower Thursday afternoon at $305.72/cwt. Select was 4¢ higher at $284.58/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales (2023) for the week ending May 4 were 16,600 metric tons. That was 18% less than the previous week, but 16% more than the prior four-week average, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report. Increases were primarily for South Korea, Japan, Canada, Mexico and Taiwan.

Cattle futures were Mixed Thursday with Feeder Cattle benefitting from lower Corn futures and Live Cattle stalling with the weaker cash outlook for the week.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 86¢ higher except for $1.25 lower in spot May.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 31¢ lower (5¢ to 82¢ lower) except for 12¢ higher in Away Aug.

Grain and soybean futures continued under pressure Thursday from the fast pace of domestic planting to positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 7¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 12¢ to 13¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mixed, mostly fractionally higher to 4¢ lower.

Cattle futures gave back some of the previous sessions gains on Wednesday amid likely profit taking and uncertainty about this week’s cash fed cattle direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 91¢ lower except for 25¢ higher in the back contract.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 42¢ lower except for 27¢ higher in the back contract.

Corn futures firmed Wednesday with likely short covering, while Wheat and Soybean futures eroded as traders position ahead of Friday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 3¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ to 10¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 15¢ lower through Sep ‘23 and then mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in all regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were some early live sales in the Southern Plains at $170/cwt.

Last week, live prices were $172/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $176-$178 in Nebraska and $172-$178 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $281 in Nebraska and $280-$285 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 51¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $306.87/cwt. Select was 35¢ lower at $284.54/cwt.

Sharply lower Corn futures helped Cattle futures regain more lost ground on Tuesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.94 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.20 higher.

Corn and Soybean futures weakened Tuesday, with pressure from the fast domestic planting pace and renewed hopes for renewal of the Black Sea Initiative. Corn received added pressure from China’s cancellation of sales of 272,000 metric tons.

Corn futures closed 9¢ to 14¢ lower through Jly ‘24, and then mostly 3¢ to 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 13¢ to 18¢ lower through May ‘24 and then 9¢ to 11¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 15¢ higher through May ‘24 and then 1¢ to 5¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $172/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $176-$178 in Nebraska and $172-$178 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $281 in Nebraska and $280-$285 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.18 lower Tuesday afternoon at $307.38/cwt. Select was 23¢ lower at $284.89/cwt.

Cattle futures rebounded some Monday, especially Feeder Cattle, supported by lower new-crop Corn futures and overall positive fundamentals.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.55 higher (90¢ higher in spot May to $2.02 higher at the back).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 67¢ higher.

There was no Monday negotiated cash fed trade summary from USDA available at press time.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $3.22 lower on a live basis at $173.93/cwt. The average steer price in the beef was $3.11 lower at $280.94.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 63¢ lower Monday afternoon at $308.56/cwt. Select was $3.04 lower at $285.12/cwt.

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 6¢ lower after old-crop contracts, perhaps pressured in part by rapid planting progress.

KC HRW Wheat closed 9¢ to 11¢ higher through Dec ‘23 and then 2¢ to 6¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 4¢ to 8¢ lower through Mar ‘25.

Cattle futures mostly softened Friday, unable to shake off the week’s lower cash fed cattle prices and growing concerns about domestic and global economic growth.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 84¢ lower (15¢ to $1.72 lower). They were an average of $7.34 lower week to week on Friday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was $3.74 lower week to week on Thursday at $199.46.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 17¢ lower, except for an average of 21¢ higher in the front two contracts. They were an average of $3.38 lower week to week on Friday.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $172/cwt., $2 lower in Nebraska at $176 and $2-$8 lower in the western Corn Belt at $172-$178. Dressed prices were $2-$5 lower in Nebraska at $281. The previous week, dressed prices were $285 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 33¢ lower Friday afternoon at $309.19/cwt. Select was 67¢ higher at $288.16/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter for the week was 623,000 head, which was 1,000 head less than the previous week and 38,000 head less than a year earlier. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 11.3 million head was 384,000 head fewer (-3.3%). Year-to-date estimate beef production of 9.3 billion pounds was 477.6 million pounds less (-4.9%) than the same time last year.

Grain and Soybean futures continued higher Friday, led by wheat, with more support from worries about renewal of the Black Sea Initiative.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 26¢ to 34¢ higher through May ‘24 and then 16¢ to 21¢ higher.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 7¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 18¢ higher through Jan ‘24 and then 5¢ to 8¢ higher through Mar ’25.

Cattle futures firmed Thursday, albeit narrowly mixed, amid negative outside markets, tied to banking and the week’s lower cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 30¢ higher, except for an average of 22¢ lower in two nearby contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 12¢ lower in the front three contracts to an average of 22¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in all regions through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $172/cwt., $2 lower in Nebraska at $176 and $2-$8 lower in the western Corn Belt at $172-$178. Dressed prices are $2-$5 lower in Nebraska at $281.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 43¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $309.52/cwt. Select was 37¢ higher at $287.49/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales were 20,100 metric tons the week ending April 27, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report. That was up noticeably from the previous week and 59% more than the prior four-week average. Increases primarily were for, Japan South Korea, China Taiwan and Mexico.

Wheat futures (KCH) continued higher Thursday — up mostly 12¢ to 14¢ — with follow-through support from worries about renewal of the Black Sea Initiative.

Corn and Soybean futures eased lower on likely profit taking from the previous session’s strong gains and perhaps some positioning ahead of the weekly U.S. Export Sales report.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 6¢ lower.

Declining open interest, negative outside markets, technical selling and weaker cash fed cattle prices pressured Cattle futures sharply lower for a second consecutive session Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.21 lower ($3.75 to $4.08 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.04 lower (60¢ to $1.40 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light demand in Nebraska to limited on light demand on other regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $172/cwt., $2 lower in Nebraska at $176 and $2-$8 lower in the western Corn Belt at $172-$178. Dressed prices are $2-$5 lower in Nebraska at $281.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 15¢ lower at $309.09/cwt. Select was $1.54 lower at $287.12/cwt.

On the other side of the coin, grain and Soybean futures plowed higher Wednesday, led by Wheat and fueled by news of an attempted assassination of Russia’s Putin and what that could mean to the Black Sea Initiative.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 10¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 25¢ to 56¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 8¢ higher through Jan’24. And then mostly 7¢ to 12¢ higher.

Cattle futures crumbled Tuesday with early cash trade taking another step lower, the packers seeming ability to pull dollars off the market by restricting kills and question marks about a seasonal peak for wholesale beef prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.90 lower ($3.75 to $4.08 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.76 lower ($1.75 to $1.97 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate on moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Tuesday afternoon, according to the agricultural Marketing Service. Prices were $1 lower at $172/cwt.

Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early live sales in Nebraska at $281 and a few live sales in the western Corn Belt at $172-$178.

Live prices last week were $178-$180 in Nebraska and $180 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $283-$286 in Nebraska and $285 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 78¢ lower Tuesday afternoon at $309.24/cwt. Select was $2.34 lower at $288.66/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 5¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 16¢ to 20¢ lower through Sep ‘24, and then mostly 8 to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 16¢ lower through Jan’24.

Cattle futures extended losses on Monday, pressured by last week’s lower cash fed cattle prices and skittishness ahead of this week’s trade.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 92¢ lower (55¢ to $1.27 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 59¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive with very light demand in all regions through Monday afternoon with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices last week were $173/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $178-$180 in Nebraska and $180 in the western Corn belt. Dressed prices were $283-$286 in Nebraska and $285 in the western Corn Belt.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price last week was $177.15/cwt. on a live basis, which was $1.42 lower. The average fed steer price in the beef was $3.37 lower at 284.05.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.42 lower Monday afternoon at $310.02/cwt. Select was $2.66 higher at $291.00/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower on Monday.

KC HRW Wheat closed 11¢ to 19¢ lower through Jly ‘24, and then mostly 8 to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 15¢ higher.

Cattle futures closed lower on Friday amid weaker cash fed cattle prices but ended mostly higher week to week.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices were $173/cwt., which was $2 lower in the Texas Panhandle and steady to $2 lower in Kansas.

Elsewhere, trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to limited on light demand.

For the week, live prices were $2-$7 lower in Nebraska at $178 and steady to $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $180. Dressed prices were $1-$4 lower in Nebraska at $283-$286 and $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $285.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 37¢ higher Friday afternoon at $311.44/cwt. Select was 75¢ lower at $288.34/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 620,000 head was 2,000 head less than the prior week and 25,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated cattle slaughter of 10.6 million head was 352,000 head fewer (-3.2%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 8.75 billion pounds was 444.8 million pounds (-4.8%) less than a year earlier.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 11¢ lower, except for 27¢ higher in near Jun and unchanged in Dec. Week to week on Friday, they closed an average of 61¢ higher, except for unchanged to 37¢ lower in three contracts. Funds extended already weighty long positions, according to the weekly CFTC Commitments of Traders report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 60¢ lower on Friday, except for 20¢ higher in the back contract. Week to week they closed an average of $1.13 higher, except for $1.42 lower in spot May.

Perhaps the main market story last week was price erosion in the grain complex as China cancelled U.S. corn purchases and managed money fled positions as the nation’s price competitiveness declines.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ lower in new-crop contracts on Friday. Week to week, they were an average of 22’0¢ lower through the front six contracts, except for 2’8¢ higher in spot May.

KC HRW Wheat closed 8¢ to 11¢ higher, except for 28’4¢ higher in the front month.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ higher, except for 11¢ to 17¢ higher in the front three contracts. Week to week on Friday, they closed from an average of 24’8¢ lower through the front six contracts, except for 5’8¢ lower in spot May.

Cattle futures gained more ground Thursday, helped along by further erosion in the grain complex, as well as stronger wholesale beef values.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.38 higher (62¢ to $1.92 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 33¢ higher (5¢ to 92¢ higher).

Favorable domestic weather and bullish expectations for Brazilian production continued to pressure grain and Soybean futures on Thursday. Another corn sales cancellation by China (233,000 metric tons) added more weight to Corn futures, which closed 11¢ to 19¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 6¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 12¢ to 18¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 12¢ lower through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 3¢ lower.

There was no afternoon negotiated cash fed cattle summary from USDA at press time.

Based on the morning report, live and dressed sales Wednesday were steady to $3 lower in the western Corn belt at $180/cwt. and $275, respectively.

Last week, live prices were $175/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $173-$175 in Kansas and $180-$185 in Nebraska. Dressed prices in Nebraska were $284-$290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.49 higher Thursday morning at $310.73/cwt. Select was $2.17 higher at $290.11/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand in the western Corn Belt to inactive on very light demand through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, there were some early sales in the western Corn Belt at $180/cwt. on a live basis and $285 in the beef.

Last week, live prices were $175/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $173-$175 in Kansas $180-$185 in Nebraska and $180-$183 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $284-$290 in Nebraska and $288 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.61 higher Wednesday afternoon at $309.24/cwt. Select was 32¢ higher at $287.94/cwt.

Weaker Corn futures, and apparently renewed focus on fundamentals, helped Cattle futures gain on Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.53 higher, (60¢ to $2.15 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 60¢ higher, (22¢ higher at the front to $1.05 higher at the back).

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 6¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 12¢ to 24¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mixed — fractionally mixed through Sep ’24 and then 3¢ to 4¢ higher. The exception was 9¢ and 2¢ lower in the front two contracts.

Negative outside markets and the lack of cash fed cattle direction helped pressure Cattle futures on Tuesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 96¢ lower (47¢ lower at the back to $1.62 lower), except for 17¢ higher in Aug.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 38¢ lower, except no change in spot Apr.

Grain and Soybean futures were under pressure Tuesday from a variety of geo-political and geo-economic forces including cancellation of recent U.S. corn purchases by China to chatter that the Black Sea Initiative would be extended once again.

Corn futures closed narrowly mixed, mostly 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 9¢ to 14¢ lower through May ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ to 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 6¢ to 10¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $175/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $173-$175 in Kansas, $180-$185 in Nebraska and $180-$183 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $284-$290 in Nebraska and $288 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 51¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $307.63/cwt. Select was $1.08 lower at $287.62/cwt.

As expected, markets viewed Friday’s Cattle on Feed report as bearish, despite the fact that cattle numbers continue to decline overall and will continue to decline.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 69¢ lower (17¢ lower at the back to $1.65 lower toward the front).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 31¢ lower, except for 32¢ and 2¢ higher in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were steady in the Texas Panhandle at $175/cwt., steady to $2 lower in Kansas at $173-$175, $1-$2 lower in Nebraska at $180-$185 and steady to $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at $180-$183.

Dressed prices were steady to $6 lower in Nebraska at $284-$290 and $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $288.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price was $178.57/cwt. on a live basis last week, which was 1.87 lower. The average fed steer price in the beef was $2.35 lower at $287.42.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 52¢ higher Monday afternoon at $307.12/cwt. Select was 90¢ higher at $288.70/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ higher on Monday, except for fractionally lower to 12¢ lower in the front four contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 18¢ lower through May ‘24 and then 6¢ to 8¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to limited on light demand through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were steady in the Southern Plains at $175/cwt., $1-$2 lower in Nebraska at $180-$185 and unevenly steady in the western Corn Belt at $182. Dressed prices were $2 lower at $288.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 39¢ lower Friday afternoon at $306.60/cwt. Select was 94¢ lower at $287.80/cwt.

However, weaker Corn futures helped Feeder Cattle futures ease an average of 44¢ higher Friday, (5¢ to $1.00 higher), except for $1.25 lower in spot Apr. They closed an average of $3.69 higher week to week on Friday (37¢ higher in spot Apr to $5.92 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 18¢ lower to an average of 11¢ higher. They were an average of 78¢ higher week to week on Friday, except for 77¢ lower in spot Apr.

Corn futures closed mostly 7¢ to 9¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mixed, mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower through May ’24 and then mostly 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 12¢ to 21¢ lower.

Cattle futures could face some pressure heading into the new week, based on Friday monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Cattle futures gained ground Thursday, helped along by eroding Corn futures, likely positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report and despite the steady to softer tone of weekly fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.74 higher (35¢ to $2.75 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 62¢ higher, except for $1.32 lower in spot Apr and 10¢ lower in the back contract.

Traders appeared to pull some weather premium from grain and soybean contracts Thursday, with a more favorable forecast.

Weekly export sales also pressured Corn or Soybeans.

Net 2022-2023 U.S. corn export sales (April 13) were 41% less than the previous week and 79% less than the prior four-week average. Net 2022-2023 U.S. soybean export sales were down 73% from the previous week and 58% from the prior four-week average.

On the other hand, Net U.S. 2023 beef export sales of 19,100 metric tons were up noticeably from the previous week and up 47% from the prior four-week average, according to the latest U.S. Export Sales report. Increases were primarily for South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and China.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow on light to moderate demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are steady in the Southern Plains at $175/cwt., steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at $182 and unevenly steady in the western Corn Belt at $181-$183. Dressed prices are $2 lower at $288.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.07 higher Thursday afternoon at $306.99/cwt. Select was $2.72 lower at $288.74/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle was slow on light demand in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, where a light test brought steady money with last week at $175/cwt. on a live basis.

Elsewhere, trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service

Live prices last week were $182-$184 in Nebraska and $180-$184 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.14 lower Wednesday afternoon at $305.92/cwt. Select was 15¢ lower at $291.46/cwt.

Cattle futures mostly softened Wednesday, with consolidation and awaiting weekly cash fed cattle trade.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ lower (2¢ lower at the back to $1.25 lower at the front), except for 70¢ and 25¢ higher in Aug and Sep, respectively.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 87¢ lower (25¢ lower at the back to $1.60 lower toward the front).

Grain futures were pressured Wednesday by Poland’s announcement to allow grain to flow through its country from Ukraine, while maintaining its closure to grain purchases from that nation.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 8¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 14¢ to 19¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 12¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then 4¢ to 6¢ lower.

Cattle futures eased higher Tuesday, with follow-through support.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 65¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ higher (10¢ higher at the back to 72¢ higher at the front).

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 6¢ to 8¢ lower through May ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices last week were $175/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $182-$184 in Nebraska and $180-$184 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.08 higher Tuesday afternoon at $307.06/cwt. Select was $2.29 higher at $291.61/cwt.

Cattle futures rose Monday, buoyed by strong cash prices across the board.

Last week, the weekly weighted average five-area direct fed steer price was $7.34 higher on a live basis at $180.44/cwt. The average fed steer price in the beef was $11.12 higher at $289.77.

Regionally, negotiated cash fed cattle prices last week were $5 higher in the Southern Plains at $175/cwt. on a live basis, $7-$8 higher in Nebraska at $182-$184 and $6-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $180-$184. Dressed prices were $5-$10 higher at $290.

On Monday, cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Those prices were helped along by the recent seasonal bump higher in wholesale beef values.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.36 higher Monday afternoon at $305.98/cwt. Select was $5.45 higher at $289.32/cwt. Week to week on Monday, Choice was up $13.07 and Select was up $10.92.

Cash calf and feeder cattle prices followed a similar trajectory last week, with steers and heifers selling $5-$9/cwt. higher nationwide, except for $9-$15 higher in the North Central region, according to AMS.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.31 higher on Monday (55¢ higher at the back to $2.85 higher toward the front).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 93¢ higher.

That was with Grain and soybean futures closing higher Monday, with Support including cool-to-cold, wet weather on the cusp of planting season, as well as Poland’s decision to prohibit grain exports from Ukraine, which slows global grain flow.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 6¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 9¢ to 13¢ higher

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 18¢ higher in the front six contracts, and then 7¢ to 9¢ higher

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to mostly inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices last week were $5 higher in the Southern Plains at $175/cwt., $8-$9 higher in Nebraska at $182-$186 and $6-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $180-$184. Dressed prices were $5-$10 higher at $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.20 higher Friday afternoon at $302.62/cwt. Select was 49¢ higher at $283.87/cwt. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $11.64 higher and Select was $8.09 higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 613,000 head was 10,000 head more than the previous week but 25,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter of 9.4 million head was 284,000 head fewer (-2.9%) than the same period a year earlier. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.7 billion pounds was 373.2 million pounds less (-4.6%).

Cattle futures finished mostly lower on Friday, weighed down by surging Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 88¢ lower (42¢ to $1.12 lower), except for 72¢ and 10¢ higher in the front two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 43¢ lower, except for 12¢ higher in away Jun.

Week to week on Thursday, though, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.52 higher and Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.41 higher.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 6¢ higher as traders appeared to apply some weather risk premium.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 29¢ to 33¢ higher powered by lingering drought, as well as resurgent rhetoric from Russia that it will withdraw from the Black Sea Initiative if the West fails to meet specific conditions.

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 12¢ lower, pressured by bullish Brazilian production expectations.

Tighter fed cattle supplies, compounded by weather-reduced tonnage kept the hammer down on negotiated cash fed cattle prices Thursday. Trade ranged from moderate with good demand in Nebraska to mostly inactive on light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $5 higher in the Southern Plains at $175/cwt., $7-$8 higher in Nebraska at $182-$184 and $7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $181-$184. Dressed prices are $5-$10 higher at $290.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.94 higher Thursday afternoon at $300.42/cwt. Select was $1.57 higher at $283.38/cwt.

Cattle futures mostly edged lower Thursday with likely repositioning amid the strong rally.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 50¢ lower, except for 5¢ and 45¢ higher in two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 58¢ lower, except for $1.22 higher in spot Apr.

Corn futures closed fractionally lower to 3¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 12¢ to 18¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 5¢ higher.

Cattle futures continued to gain Wednesday with prospects for record-high cash fed cattle prices increasing again this week.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.26 higher (12¢ to $1.80 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 78¢ higher (37¢ to $1.97 higher).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.38 higher Wednesday afternoon at $298.48/cwt. Select was 23¢ lower at $281.81/cwt

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to mostly a standstill through Wednesday afternoon. Although too few to trend, there were some early live sales in the western Corn Belt at $181/cwt.

Last week, live prices were $170/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $174-$177 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $275-$280.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 9¢ lower, except for nearby contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.86 higher ($1.17 to $2.62 higher), helped along by weaker Corn futures and cash strength.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 57¢ higher, supported by cash strength and rising wholesale beef values.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.19 higher Tuesday afternoon at $295.10/cwt. Select was $3.64 higher at $282.04/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $170/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $174-$177 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $275-$280.

Grain and Soybean futures seemed to bow to weather and outside markets more than the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (see below).

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 8¢ to 10¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $3-$5 higher in the Southern Plains at $170/cwt., $5-$6 higher in Nebraska at $174-$177 and $4-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $174-$177. Dressed prices were $5-$8 higher at $275-$280.

The five-area weighted average direct fed steer price (FOB) last week was record high at $173.10/cwt. on a live basis, which was $4.36 higher than the previous week. The average fed steer price in the beef was $8.29 higher at $278.65.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.93 higher Monday afternoon at $292.91/cwt. Select was $2.62 higher at $278.40/cwt.

Cattle futures continued to rise Monday, on the back of the last two-week’s surge in cash prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 61¢ higher (22¢ to $1.27 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed 44¢ higher.

Corn futures gained Monday with some likely positioning ahead of Tuesday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed 5¢ to 10¢ higher through Jly ‘24, and then mostly 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 11¢ to 33¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally mixed to 1¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light to moderate demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $3-$5 higher in the Southern Plains at $170/cwt., $4-$5 higher in Nebraska at $172-$177 and $5-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $175-$177. Dressed prices were $5-$8 higher at $275-$280.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.33 higher Friday afternoon at $290.98/cwt. Select was 85¢ lower at $275.78/cwt. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $8.91 higher and Select was $5.06 higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week was 603,000 head, which was 48,000 head fewer than the previous week and 62,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Total estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter of 8.8 million head was 253,000 head less (-2.8%) than the same period last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.24 billion pounds was 342 million pounds less (-4.5%).

Futures markets were closed on observance of Good Friday. Week to week on Thursday, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.67 higher (85¢ higher at the back to $3.52 higher at the front). That was an average of $6.14 higher over the past two weeks.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.15 higher week to week on Thursday (72¢ higher at the front to $3.55 higher at the back). That was an average of $8.94 higher over the past two weeks.

Equity markets were closed for Good Friday.

Cattle futures took another strong step higher Thursday, buoyed by another week of significant cash gains.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.96 higher, also helped along by a break in Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.76 higher (85¢ to $2.80 higher) with added support from recently higher wholesale beef prices.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from slow to moderate on moderate demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $3-$5 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $170/cwt., $4-$5 higher in Nebraska at $172-$177 and $2-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $172-$177. Dressed prices are $5-$8 higher at $275-$280.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all regions through Wednesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $165-$167/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle; $167 in Kansas, $168-$172 in Nebraska and $170 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $270-$272.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 68¢ higher Wednesday afternoon at $288.62/cwt. Select was 21¢ higher at $278.16/cwt.

Cattle future closed narrowly mixed Wednesday, awaiting weekly cash direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 34¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 11¢ higher, except for 80¢ higher in spot Apr and unchanged in the back contract.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher, except for unchanged to 1¢ lower in old-crop contracts

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 11¢ to 14¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 6¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then fractionally higher to 6¢ higher.

Cattle future closed lower Tuesday, amid retrenching and a risk-off atmosphere in commodities and equites tied to growing concerns about recession.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 59¢ lower (10¢ to $1.00 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 73¢ lower (17¢ lower to $1.00 lower toward the front).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $2-$4 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $165-$167/cwt., $4 higher in Kansas at $167, $4-$7 higher in Nebraska at $168-$172 and $4-$6 higher in the western Corn Belt at $170. Dressed prices were $5-$7 higher at $270-$272.

Wholesale beef prices extended gains Tuesday. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.85 higher Tuesday afternoon at $287.94/cwt. Select was $3.77 higher at $277.95/cwt.

Corn futures closed 3¢ to 9¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 8¢ to 12¢ lower.

Cattle future closed lower Monday, especially Feeder Cattle, as traders retrenched following the previous session’s new contract highs.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 91¢ lower (5¢ lower at the back to $2.10 lower toward the front).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 35¢ lower, except for an average of 10¢ higher in two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $2-$4 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $165-$167/cwt., $4 higher in Kansas at $167, $4-$7 higher in Nebraska at $168-$172 and $4-$6 higher in the western Corn Belt at $170. Dressed prices were $5-$7 higher at $270-$272.

The weekly weighted average five-area direct fed steer price was $4.33 higher on a live basis last week at $168.74/cwt. The weekly average steer price in the beef was $5.30 higher at $270.36.

Wholesale beef prices continued to gain Monday. Choice boxed beef cutout value was 3.02 higher in the afternoon at 285.09/cwt. Select was $3.46 higher at $274.18/cwt.

As for grains and soybeans, Corn futures closed narrowly mixed, mostly 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower through Mar ‘24, and then 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 13¢ to 19¢ higher through Aug ‘24, and then mostly 8¢ to 9¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $2-$4 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $165-$167/cwt., $4 higher in Kansas at $167, $4-$7 higher in Nebraska at $168-$172 and $4-$6 higher in the western Corn Belt at $170. Dressed prices were $5-$7 higher at $270-$272.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 651,000 head was 25,000 head more than the previous week and 12,000 more than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 8.19 million head was 193,000 head fewer (-2.3%) than the same period last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 6.75 billion pounds was 282 million pounds less (-4.0%).

The week’s significantly higher cash fed cattle prices continued to push Cattle futures higher Friday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.03 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ higher (10¢ higher at the back to $1.12 higher toward the front).

Cattle futures received added support from wholesale beef prices. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.87 higher Friday afternoon at $282.07/cwt. Select was $2.26 higher at $270.72/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 4¢ lower, except for 11¢ and 8¢ higher in the front two contracts. The Perspective Plantings report  applied pressure

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 6¢ higher through May ‘24, and then 4¢ to 6¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 31¢ higher through Aug ‘24, and then mostly 2¢ to 3¢ higher, helped along by the Grain Stocks report.

Cash fed cattle prices jumped Thursday with moderate trade and good demand in all regions, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices were $2-$4 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $165-$167/cwt., mostly $4 higher in Kansas at $167, $5-$6 higher in Nebraska at $169-$171 and mostly $4-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $170. Dressed prices were mostly $5 higher at $270, with a few up to $275 in Nebraska and a few up to $276 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.09 lower Thursday afternoon at $279.20/cwt. Select was 44¢ lower at $268.46/cwt.

Stronger cash prices pulled Cattle futures higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.58 higher, (from 95¢ higher in expiring Mar to $1.92 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.03 higher (80¢ to $1.72 higher).

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ lower through Jly ‘24, and then mostly 1¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 3¢ lower.

Cattle futures took another step higher Wednesday, helped along by more positive outside markets.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.48 higher, except for 27¢ lower in expiring spot Mar.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 68¢ higher (27¢ to 95¢ higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill in all regions through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $163/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $164-$165 in Nebraska and $164-$166 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $265.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 34¢ lower Wednesday afternoon at $280.29/cwt. Select was $1.46 lower at $268.90/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ lower, except for 3¢ higher and 1¢ higher in the front two contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 15¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 4¢ to 9¢ higher in the front three contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 5¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Tuesday following the previous session’s strong showing.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 26¢ lower, except for an average of 10¢ higher in two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 26¢ higher, except for unchanged in the back contract.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $163/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $164-$165 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $164-$166. Dressed prices were $1 higher at $265.

Wholesale beef prices seem to be finding some seasonal footing. Choice boxed beef cutout value was 27¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at $280.63/cwt. Select was 64¢ higher at $270.36/cwt.

Short covering, stronger export inspections and a reduced outlook for harvested acres in Brazil helped Soybean close mostly 9¢ to 25¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 10¢ to 12¢ higher.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ lower, except for mostly 2¢ higher in new-crop contracts.

Whether it was oversold conditions or grass fever, Cattle futures found firm traction amid active trade to start the week.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.80 higher ($2.42 to $3.82 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.89 higher ($1.45 to $2.27 higher).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $163/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $164-$165 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $164-$166. Dressed prices were $1 higher at $265.

The five-area direct weighted average fed steer price last week was 17¢ higher on a live basis at $164.41/cwt. The average fed steer price in the beef was $1.24 higher at $265.06.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 48¢ higher Monday afternoon at $280.36/cwt. Select was 97¢ higher at $269.72/cwt.

Grain and Soybeans futures continued higher Monday with less skittish outside markets and perhaps some early positioning ahead of Friday’s stocks and planting intentions reports.

Corn futures closed 5¢ to 9¢ higher through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 11¢ to 13¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 12¢ to 15¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend in any region, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $163/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $164-$165 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $164-$166. Dressed prices are $1 higher at $265.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.90 lower Friday afternoon at $279.88/cwt. Select was 14¢ lower at $268.75/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week was 626,000 head, which was 5,000 head fewer than the previous week and 31,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Total estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter of 7.5 million head was 202,000 head fewer (-2.6%) than the same period a year earlier. Total estimated year-to-date beef production of 6.2 billion pounds was 282.9 million pounds less (-4.3%).

Cattle futures were mixed as declining open interest continued.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 53¢ higher (30¢ to 85¢ higher), except for 20¢ lower in away Jun.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 76¢ lower (20¢ to $1.05 lower), except for 62¢ higher in spot Mar. Pressure included a surge in Corn Futures — 11¢ to 12¢ higher in old-crop contracts and then mostly 4¢ to 8¢ higher — lifted by flash export corn sales to China.

Chatter about Russia limiting wheat exports buoyed Kansas City Wheat futures, which closed 20¢ to 28¢ higher.

Soybean futures firmed but the overall outlook remains bearish with reports from South America that Brazil’s crop is expected to override any deficits in Argentina.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend in any region, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are $1 lower in the Southern Plains at $163/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $164-$165 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $164-$166. Dressed prices are $1 higher at $265.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.48 higher Thursday afternoon at $282.78/cwt. Select was 93¢ lower at $268.89/cwt.

Net U.S. beef export sales gained ground for the week ending Mar. 16, according to the U.S. Export Sales report. Net sales of 18,600 metric tons (mt) were 5% more than the previous week and 59% more than the prior four-week average. Increases primarily were for South Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Cattle futures wavered in their range-bound path Thursday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 21¢ lower in three contracts to an average of 33¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 26¢ lower, except for an average of 7¢ higher in the back two contracts.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 4¢ to 8¢ higher through May ’24 and then mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 9¢ to 29¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was moderate to active on good demand in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Market Service, with live prices $1 lower at $163/cwt.

Trade was moderate on good demand in Nebraska where live prices were steady at $164 and dressed prices were $1 higher at $265.

In the western Corn Belt, trade was slow on moderate demand. Although too few to trend, early live sales were $165.00-$165.50 and early dressed sales were $265. Prices there last week were $164-$165 and mostly $264, respectively.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.38 higher Wednesday afternoon at $281.30/cwt. Select was $1.73 lower at $269.82/cwt.

Futures traders continued their commodities selling mode Wednesday with bearish outside markets.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 51¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 39¢ lower.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly fractionally higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 7¢ to 12¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 18¢ to 25¢ lower.

Cattle futures firmed in cautious trade Tuesday, helped along by more optimistic outside markets.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 38¢ higher, except for an average of 9¢ lower in the back two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 44¢ higher in the front three contracts to an average of 25¢ lower.

Lower grain and Soybean futures helped.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 13¢ to 19¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand in all regions through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were mainly $1 lower in the Southern Plains and Nebraska at $164/cwt., and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $164-$165. Dressed prices were $1 lower at $264.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.10 lower Tuesday afternoon at $279.92/cwt. Select was $2.39 lower at $271.55/cwt.

Cattle futures leaked lower Monday amid recently declining open interest and uncertainty about the health of the banking structure, and despite Friday’s friendly Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 46¢ lower, except for an average of 20¢ higher in the back two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ lower, except for an average of 22¢ higher in the back two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly limited on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were mainly $1 lower in the Southern Plains and Nebraska at $164/cwt., and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $164-$165. Dressed prices were $1 lower at $264.

The five-area direct weighted average steer price last week was $1.23 lower on a live basis at $164.17. The average steer price in the beef was $1.50 lower at $263.82.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.33 lower Monday afternoon at $281.02/cwt. Select was $1.50 higher at $273.94/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 6¢ to 8¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed mixed Friday amid some likely positioning ahead of the ultimately friendly Cattle on Feed report, lower cash fed cattle prices and uncertain outside markets.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mixed, from an average of 49¢ lower in the front three contracts to an average of 16¢ higher. They closed an average of $1.84 lower week to week on Friday, giving back about half of the previous week’s gains.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 22¢ lower in the front three contracts to an average of 6¢ higher.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 10¢ to 16¢ higher through May ‘24 and then 6¢ to 7¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 15¢ lower, pressured by declining Oil futures.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly limited on light demand in all regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were mainly $1 lower in the Southern Plain and Nebraska at $164/cwt., and steady to $2.50 lower in the western Corn Belt at $164.00-$164.50. Dressed prices were $1 lower in Nebraska at $264 and $1-$2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $263-$264.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 60¢ lower Friday afternoon at $283.35/cwt. Select was 68¢ lower at $272.44/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 631,000 head was 3,000 head fewer than the previous week and 5,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 6.1 million head was 169,000 head fewer (-2.4%). Estimated year-to date beef production of 5.7 billion lbs. was 250.6 million pounds less (-4.2%) less than the same time last year.

Stronger outside markets helped Cattle futures recover some recent losses Thursday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.63 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 39¢ higher, except for 2¢ lower in the back contract.

Weekly U.S. beef export sales also provided some support. Net U.S. beef export sales for the week ending March 9 were 17,700 metric tons (mt), according to USDA’s Export Sales report. That was noticeably higher than the previous week and 24% more than the previous four-week average.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in all regions through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are mainly $1 lower in the Southern Plains and Nebraska at $164/cwt., and $1-$2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $163-$165. Dressed prices are $1 lower at $264.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 32¢ lower Thursday afternoon at $283.95/cwt. Select was 87¢ lower at $271.76/cwt.

Too many black swans in too little time tends to make folks cautious. That seems to be as apt an explanation as any for eroding Cattle futures and then cash fed cattle prices in the face of such positive market fundamentals.

In this case, the next feared black swan appears to be a potential contagion of bank failures. Silcon Valley Bank failed last week. Signal bank followed suit quickly after — the third largest bank failure in U.S. history, according to various sources. Then came speculation/news yesterday that Credit Suisse, across the pond, was on the ropes with its largest investor unwilling to provide more funding.

Major U.S. financial indices fell sharply before regaining some lost ground later yesterday when the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and Swiss National Bank (SNB) — the nation’s central bank — issued a joint statement, saying in part: “The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and the Swiss National Bank assert that the problems of certain banks in the USA do not pose a direct risk of contagion for the Swiss financial markets … In addition, the SNB will provide liquidity to the globally active bank if necessary.”

By the time the statement was issued, the die was cast for Cattle futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.04 lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.15 lower.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed fractionally higher to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 12¢ to 13¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on moderate demand in the Southern Plains to moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska to light on moderate demand through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are mainly $1 lower at $164/cwt. in the Southern Plain and Nebraska, where dressed sales were $1 lower at $264.

Although too few to trend, there have been some sales in the western Corn Belt at $164.00-$164.50 on a live basis and $263-$264 in the beef. Prices there last week were $164-$167 and $265, respectively.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.64 lower Wednesday afternoon at $284.27/cwt. Select was $1.93 lower at $272.63/cwt.

Cattle futures closed mainly lower Tuesday, pressured in part by the lack of cash direction for fed cattle and firmer nearby Corn futures.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 71¢ lower (32¢ to $1.32 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 40¢ lower, except for an average of 24¢ higher in the back two contracts.

Corn futures gained Tuesday, with support from further erosion in Argentina’s crop.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 9¢ to 17¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $164-$167/cwt. but mostly $165. Dressed prices were $265.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.05 higher Tuesday afternoon at $285.91/cwt. Select was 94¢ higher at $274.56/cwt.

Cattle futures softened further Monday. Aside from taking a pause and potentially profits from last week’s up-move in Feeder Cattle, and steady money for fed cattle, perhaps traders also were wondering about the floor for recently lower wholesale beef prices. As much as anything, though, bearish outside markets, tied to the failure of Silcon Valley Bank and worries about wider repercussions cast a pall over equity and commodity markets.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 53¢ lower (32¢ to $1.17 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ lower.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 3¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then 3¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 13¢ to 18¢ lower through Aug ‘24 and then mostly 7¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were steady at $165/cwt., except for $1 lower to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $164-$167. Dressed prices were steady to $3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $265 and steady in Nebraska at $265.

The five-area direct weighted average steer price last week was 38¢ higher at $165.40/cwt. The weighted average steer price in the beef was 89¢ higher at $265.32.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 5¢ lower Monday afternoon at $284.86/cwt. Select was $2.08 higher at $273.62/cwt.

Cattle futures closed lower for the second consecutive day on Friday as Corn futures gained and cash fed cattle prices remained steady to cloudy.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 1.72¢ lower. However, they were $3.66 higher week to week.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 76¢ lower.

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 6¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 18¢ to 20¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ lower through Sep ‘24 and then mostly 3¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on moderate demand in Kansas, Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Elsewhere, trade was very limited on light demand.

For the week, live prices were mostly steady at $165/cwt., except for steady to $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $165-$166. Dressed prices were steady to $3.50 higher in Nebraska at $265.00-$268.50 and steady in the western Corn Belt at $265.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 31¢ higher Friday afternoon at $284.91/cwt. Select was $4.51 lower at $271.54/cwt.

Cattle futures closed lower Thursday with likely profit taking, the lack of weekly cash fed cattle direction and outside market bearishness.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 90¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ lower, except for 60¢ higher in the back contract.

Weekly beef export sales offered no support. According to USDA’s weekly U.S. Export Sales report, net U.S. beef export sales for the week ending March 2 were 5,600 metric tons, a marketing-year low. The total was 31% less than the prior week and 67% less than the previous four-week average (see below).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade got underway in the Texas Panhandle Thursday at steady money of $165/cwt. on slow trade and light demand.

Elsewhere, trade was mostly inactive on light demand with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $165/cwt. Dressed prices were $265 in Nebraska and $262-$265 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 18¢ lower Thursday afternoon at $284.60/cwt. Select was $2.07 lower at $276.05/cwt.

Corn futures closed 12¢ to 16¢ lower through old-crop contracts. and then mostly 3¢ to 4¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 18¢ to 22¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 8¢ to 11¢ lower.

Cattle futures gained Wednesday, buoyed by the friendly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), which weighed on Corn and underscored the higher price outlook for cattle (see below).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.84 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 30¢ higher, except for 52¢ lower in spot Apr.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $165/cwt. Dressed prices were $265 in Nebraska and $262-$265 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.15 lower Wednesday afternoon at $284.78/cwt. Select was 63¢ higher at $278.12/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly 8¢ to 9¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 2¢ to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower.

Cattle futures closed mixed Tuesday as bullish fundamentals battled with some likely positioning ahead of Wednesday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 62¢ higher (5¢ to 95¢ higher).

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 30¢ lower to an average of 12¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were $165/cwt. Dressed prices were $265 in Nebraska and $262-$265 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.27 lower Tuesday afternoon at 287.93/cwt. Select was $1.02 higher at $277.49/cwt.

Corn futures closed 2¢ to 5¢ lower through Jly ‘24, and then fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed narrowly mixed, mostly 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 15¢ lower in the front three contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 5¢ lower.

Feeder Cattle futures rallied an average of $2.11 higher Monday, helping Live Cattle futures close an average of 65¢ higher, underpinned by bullish fundamentals and last week’s stronger cash.

Last week, negotiated cash fed cattle prices were $1-$2 higher on a live basis at $165/cwt. Dressed prices were $3 higher in Nebraska at $265 and steady to $3 higher in the western Corn Belt at $262-$265.

On Monday, trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through the afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 88¢ higher Monday afternoon at 290.20/cwt. However, Select was 39¢ lower at $276.47/cwt.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 10¢ to 18¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 7¢ higher., except for 10¢ to 11¢ higher in the front four contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Friday afternoon, with too few to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

For the week, the only established trade reported by AMS was live prices of $164.50-$165.00/cwt. in the western Corn Belt, which was 50¢ to $1 higher. Dressed prices there the previous week were $260-$262.

Elsewhere the previous week, live prices were mostly at $164/cwt. and dressed prices were $262.

However, various private sources suggested more trade developing in other regions on Friday at $1-$2 higher. For instance, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association reported its members trading steers and heifers about $1 higher at $165.40) and $165.25, respectively.

Through Thursday, the weighted average five-area direct fed steer price was $1.19 higher at $164.84/cwt. The average steer price in the beef was $2.61 higher at $262.54.

Cattle futures gained Friday, supported by stronger cash fed cattle prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.76 higher ($1.22 to $2.17 higher).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.12 higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 82¢ higher Friday afternoon at 289.32/cwt. Select was 72¢ lower at $276.86/cwt.

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 7¢ higher in old-crop contracts, mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 5¢ to 9¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ higher.

Stable Corn futures and strong cash trends helped Feeder Cattle futures lean mostly higher Thursday. They were up an average of 22¢, except for 17¢ lower and unchanged in two contracts.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 74¢ lower (40¢ to $1.15 lower) with traders awaiting cash direction.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Although too few to trend, there were a few live sales in the western Corn Belt at $165/cwt. — $164.50 to $165.00 on Wednesday. Dressed prices there last week were $260-$262.

Elsewhere, last week, live prices were mostly at $164/cwt. and dressed prices were $262.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 67¢ higher Thursday afternoon at 288.50/cwt. Select was $1.15 higher at $277.58/cwt.

Weekly beef export sales offered no support to Cattle futures. For the week ending Feb. 23, net U.S. beef export sales were 8,100 metric tons (mt.), according to the latest USDA U.S. Export Sales report. That was 48% less than the previous week and 62% less than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for Japan, Taiwan, China and Mexico.

Corn futures closed narrowly mixed, mostly 1¢ lower to 1¢ higher.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 6¢ to 7¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 15¢ higher through Jan ’24 and then mostly 4¢ to 6¢ higher.

Cattle futures took a breather Wednesday on likely profit taking and awaiting weekly cash direction.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 61¢ lower.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 42¢ lower to unchanged to an average of 2¢ higher.

Wholesale beef prices declined on Wednesday for the first time in a while. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.12 lower in the afternoon at 287.83/cwt. Select was $2.82 lower at $276.43/cwt.

By all accounts, negotiated cash fed cattle trade remained stuck in the gate Wednesday. There was no afternoon USDA summary available at press time.

Last week, live prices were mostly at $164/cwt. in all regions. Dressed prices were $260-$262.

Grain and Soybean futures found some footing Wednesday.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower, except for 3¢ to 11¢ higher in old-crop contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed 1¢ to 5¢ higher through Sep ’24 and then fractionally lower to 2¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 15¢ higher through May ’24 and then mostly 4¢ to 5¢ higher.

Cattle futures continued higher Tuesday, supported by further downward correction in Corn futures and another day of higher wholesale beef values.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 70¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 47¢ higher, except for $2.50 higher in expiring Feb.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 61¢ higher Tuesday afternoon at 288.95/cwt. Select was even at $279.25/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on very light demand to a standstill through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were a few early live trades in the western Corn Belt at $165/cwt., but too few to trend.

Last week, live prices were mostly at $164/cwt. in all regions, which was $2 higher in the Southern Plains, $3-$4 higher in Nebraska and $2-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $3 higher in Nebraska at $260 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn belt at $260-$262.

Erosion in grain and Soybean futures continued Tuesday as it appears export demand concerns and the promising domestic production outlook have funds on the defensive.

Corn futures closed 11¢ to 13¢ lower through old crop contracts, and then mostly 6¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed 2¢ to 7¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 6¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 22¢ to 32¢ lower through Aug ’24 and then 17¢ to 19¢ lower.

Wholesale beef prices and consumer resilience maintain their strong trends. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.06 higher Monday afternoon at 288.34/cwt. Select was $2.17 higher at $279.25/cwt.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were mostly $164/cwt. in all regions, which was $2 higher in the Southern Plains, $3-$4 higher in Nebraska and $2-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $3 higher in Nebraska at $260 and $3-$5 higher in the western Corn belt at $260-$262.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $2.55 higher on a live basis at $163.72/cwt. The average steer price in the beef was $4.19 higher at $260.97.

Softer Corn futures helped lift Feeder Cattle futures an average of 76¢ higher on Monday (10¢ higher in spot Mar to $1.35 higher in the back contract).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 18¢ lower, except for an average of 9¢ higher in three away contracts.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower, except for 5¢ to 7¢ lower in old-crop contracts.

KC HRW Wheat closed 12¢ to 18¢ lower through May ‘24 and then 4¢ to 6¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed fractionally lower to 10¢ lower through May ’24 and then fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Through Friday afternoon’s report, weekly negotiated cash fed cattle trade had yet to be established in the Southern Plains. Prices were higher in other regions, though. Live prices were $3-$4 higher in Nebraska at $163-$164/cwt. and $2-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $164, where dressed prices were $3 higher at $260. Dressed trade in Nebraska the previous week was at $257. The prior week, live prices were $162 in the Southern Plains.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 63¢ lower Friday afternoon at 287.28/cwt. Select was $1.21 higher at $277.08/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 618,000 head was 9,000 head fewer than the previous week and 33,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter was 121,000 head fewer (-2.3%) than last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 4.1 billion lbs. was 181.1 million pounds less (-4.2%).

Cattle futures took a breather Friday amid likely profit taking and positioning ahead of what turned out to be a neutral-to-positive Cattle on Feed report. More about that report momentarily.

Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 20¢ lower to an average of 16¢ higher. They were an average of $3 higher week to week.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ lower, except for an average of 5¢ higher in the front two contracts. Week to week, there were an average of 70¢ higher.

Wheat futures dragged the grain complex lower Friday on chatter about a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

KC HRW Wheat closed 19¢ to 22¢ lower.

Corn futures closed 8¢ to 10¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then 3¢ to 5¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 14¢ lower.

Cattle futures — especially Feeder Cattle — gained Thursday with sharply lower nearby Corn futures, as well as likely positioning ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.55 higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 25¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon. Although too few to trend, there were some early live sales in Nebraska at $164/cwt.

Last week, prices on a live basis were $162 in the southern Plains, $159-$161 in Nebraska and $160-$162 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $257 in Nebraska and $254-$257 in the western Corn Belt.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was unchanged Thursday afternoon at 287.91/cwt. Select was $2.23 higher at $275.87/cwt.

Corn futures closed lower Thursday with much of the pressure likely stemming from the Grains and Oilseeds Outlook shared at USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum, which projected 2023/24 production to be the second largest in history (see below).

Corn futures closed 13¢ to 15¢ lower through old-crop contracts and then 4¢ to 7¢ lower through new-crop.

KC HRW Wheat closed 10¢ to 14¢ lower through near Jly and then 3¢ to 7¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ lower.

Feeder Cattle futures gained on lower Corn futures, closing an average of 83¢ higher.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 17¢ higher, except for unchanged to 17¢ lower in three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Wednesday afternoon.

Last week, prices on a live basis were $162 in the southern Plains, $159-$161 in Nebraska and $160-$162 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were $257.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 71¢ higher Wednesday afternoon at 287.91/cwt. Select was $2.80 higher at $273.64/cwt.

Wheat led the grain complex lower Wednesday with favorable domestic moisture, as well as chatter than the Baltic Sea export opening will be extended.

KC HRW Wheat closed 14¢ to 28¢ lower. Corn futures closed 3¢ to 6¢ lower through Jly ‘23 and then mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 9¢ lower through Sep ’23 and then mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Prices on a live basis last week were $1-$2 higher in the Southern Plains at $162/cwt., $1-$2 higher in Nebraska at $159-$161 and steady to $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $160-$162. Dressed prices were $3 higher at $257.

The weighted average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $1.55 higher on a live basis at $161.17/cwt. The weighted average steer price in the beef was $2.87 higher at $256.78.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.85 higher Monday afternoon at $282.89/cwt. Select was $2.16 higher at $268.05/cwt.

CME Agriculture futures and equity markets were closed Monday in observance of President’s Day

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow to moderate on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live sales were mostly $2 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $162/cwt. and $1-$2 higher in Kansas at $162.

Elsewhere, trade was slow on light to moderate demand with too few transactions to trend.

For the week, live sales were steady to $3 higher in Nebraska at $160 and $2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $162. Dressed prices in both regions were $3 higher at $257.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.49 higher Friday afternoon at $281.04/cwt. Select was $3.25 higher at $265.89/cwt.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 627,000 head was 3,000 head fewer than the previous week and 43,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date cattle slaughter of 4.4. million head was 86,000 head less (-1.9%). Estimated year to date beef production of 3.6 billion lbs. was 141 million pounds less (-3.7%).

Stronger cash fed cattle prices helped Live Cattle futures gain Friday.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 38¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 19¢ lower to an average of 15¢ higher.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ higher through Jly ‘24 and then mainly unchanged to 1¢ lower.

KC HRW Wheat closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.