Cattle futures started Monday’s session with follow-through support that faded as the day wore on amid likely profit taking and positioning ahead of Wednesday’s USDA Cattle inventory report. Although another year of beef cow contraction is widely anticipated, the degree will also depend on whether USDA makes any adjustments to prior-year figures.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 94¢ lower (55¢ to $1.32 lower).
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 56¢ lower.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Last week, FOB live prices were $175/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $174-$175 in Kansas (mostly $175), $175-$177 in Nebraska and $174-$177 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were at $277.
The five-area direct weighted average FOB live steer price last week was $1.68 higher at $175.44/cwt. The five-area direct dressed delivered price was $2.98 higher at $276.87.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.11 lower Monday afternoon at $299.42/cwt. Select was 31¢ lower at $288.82/cwt.
Turning to row crops, grain and soybean futures closed lower Monday with apparent concerns about China’s economy.
Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 15¢ lower through May ’25 and then mainly fractionally higher.
Corn futures closed 1¢ to 6¢ lower through Jly ’25 and then 1¢ to 4¢ higher.
KC HRW Wheat futures closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ lower.
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