Cattle Rallying on Friday, with Cash Firming

Live cattle futures are rallying as cash trade picks up, with futures up 97 cents to $1.20 at midday. USDA reported a few dressed northern sales at $345-355 in the north. The Friday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed sales of $228-228.50 on 571 of the 2,596 head offered, with a few $224-228.50 bids. Feeder cattle futures are trading with midday gains of a nickel to 55 cents so far. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was another $1.22 higher on October 14 to $342.64.

USDA Export Sales data showed 19,766 MT of beef sold in the week ending on 10/8 for 2026. Shipments were 12,872 MT in that week a 14-week high.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Friday morning report, with the Chc/Sel at $20.16. Choice boxes were down 79 cents to $373.19, with Select 41 cents lower to $353.03. USDA estimated Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Thursday at 104,000 head, with the week to date total at 430,000 head. That is now down 2,000 from the week prior and 34,307 head below the same week last year. 

Oct 26 Live Cattle  are at $227.150, up $1.200,

Dec 26 Live Cattle  are at $228.225, up $0.975,

Feb 27 Live Cattle  are at $230.775, up $1.150,

Oct 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $343.625, up $0.250

Nov 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $342.000, up $0.050

Jan 27 Feeder Cattle  are at $338.425, up $0.525

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.