Cattle Posting Midday Weakness on Thursday

Live cattle futures are down 87 cents to $1.62 so far on Thursday. Cash trade has yet to get kicked off this week. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no sales or bids on the 2,612 head offered. Feeder cattle futures are fading back $2.07 to $3.60 across the front months at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was 65 cents lower on October 6 to $337.87. 

USDA Export Sales data showed 12,996 MT of beef sold in the week ending on 10/1 for 2026. Shipments were 11,880 MT in that week a 3-week low.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Thursday morning report, with the Chc/Sel at $22.78. Choice boxes were down 75 cents to $374.87, with Select $2.12 lower to $352.09. USDA estimated Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday at 108,000 head, taking the weekly total at 320,000 head. That was up 19,000 from the week prior but 16,494 head below the same week last year. 

Oct 26 Live Cattle  are at $220.725, down $0.875,

Dec 26 Live Cattle  are at $222.425, down $1.350,

Feb 27 Live Cattle  are at $224.925, down $1.625,

Oct 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $336.075, down $2.075

Nov 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $333.000, down $2.800

Jan 27 Feeder Cattle  are at $326.800, down $3.600