Cattle Extending Bounce into Friday’s Midday

Live cattle futures are rallying $2.20 to $3.15 so far on the Friday session, as bulls continue to battle back. The Friday morning Fed Cattle Exchange showed $225 sales on 45 of the 952 head offered, with $223-224 bids on other lots. Feeder cattle futures are rallying, helped by recent short covering and grain weakness, as contracts are up $5.40 to $5.90 at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up $1.53 on September 9 to $328.96. 

Export Sales data from USDA showed beef sales for 2026 at just 8,581 MT for the week ending on 9/3. That was an 8-week low. Shipments were tallied at 11,521 MT, which was a 4-week low.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Friday morning report, with the Chc/Sel widening to $22.29. Choice boxes were down $2.41 at $375.96, with Select $1.61 higher to $353.67. USDA estimated the Thursday Federally inspected cattle slaughter at 109,000 head, with the weekly total at 329,000 head. That is well shy of last week’s total due to the Monday holiday.

Oct 26 Live Cattle  are at $220.025, up $2.200,

Dec 26 Live Cattle  are at $222.725, up $3.125,

Feb 27 Live Cattle  are at $224.300, up $3.150,

Sep 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $338.000, up $5.425

Oct 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $333.325, up $5.775

Nov 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $328.675, up $5.900

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.