Live cattle futures are slipping 97 cents to $1.45 at midday. Cash trade has been quiet this week with a few sales reported by USDA at $224 live in the north and $350-365 dressed. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed 225 bids on several lots of the 2,636 head offered, with most reserve prices (asks) at $230-232. Feeder cattle futures are straing with losses of 30 to 65 cents at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 33 cents on October 27 to $351.00.
USDA Export Sales data showed 10,996 MT of beef sold in the week ending on 10/22 for 2026, a 5-week low. Shipments were 12,899 MT in that week, a 16-week high.
Don’t Miss a Day: From crude oil to coffee, sign up free for Barchart’s best-in-class commodity analysis.Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Thursday AM report, with the Chc/Sel at $15.95. Choice boxes were down $1.50 to $367.50, with Select $3.60 lower to $351.55. USDA estimated Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday at 109,000 head, taking the week’s total to 325,000 head. That was down 2,000 head from the week prior and 17,080 head above the same week last year.
Oct 26 Live Cattle are at $226.400, down $0.975,
Dec 26 Live Cattle are at $225.875, down $1.450,
Feb 27 Live Cattle are at $229.050, down $1.450,
Oct 26 Feeder Cattle are at $351.100, down $0.325
Nov 26 Feeder Cattle are at $346.125, down $0.625
Jan 27 Feeder Cattle are at $341.725, down $0.375
On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not directly have a position 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.