Cattle Posting Mostly Higher Trade on Thursday

Live cattle futures are trading with contracts 10 to 65 cents higher and other contracts lower. Cash trade saw some light $348-350 dressed action in the North so far this week as reported by USDA, with live sales at $219-219.50. The Thursday Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no sales on the 1,586 head offered and $220 bids. Feeder cattle futures are trading with gains of $1.10 to $1.60 at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was 26 cents higher on September 28 to $338.03. 

USDA Export Sales data showed 14,638 MT of beef sold in the week ending on 9/24 for 2026 and sales of 3 MT for 2027. Shipments were 12,628 MT in that week a 6-week high.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Thursday AM report, with the Chc/Sel at $22.20. Choice boxes were down $3.81 at $378.98, with Select $5.45 lower to $355.14. USDA estimated Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday at 98,000 head, taking this week’s total to 301,000 head. That was up 2,000 from last week but 49,282 head below the same week last year. 

Oct 26 Live Cattle  are at $219.325, up $0.650,

Dec 26 Live Cattle  are at $222.800, up $0.100,

Feb 27 Live Cattle  are at $224.800, down $0.275,

Oct 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $338.000, up $1.575

Nov 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $335.500, up $1.200

Jan 27 Feeder Cattle  are at $328.800, up $1.125

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.