Cattle futures leaked lower Monday amid recently declining open interest and uncertainty about the health of the banking structure, and despite Friday’s friendly Cattle on Feed report.
Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 46¢ lower, except for an average of 20¢ higher in the back two contracts.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ lower, except for an average of 22¢ higher in the back two contracts.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly limited on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Last week, live prices were mainly $1 lower in the Southern Plains and Nebraska at $164/cwt., and steady to $2 lower in the western Corn Belt at $164-$165. Dressed prices were $1 lower at $264.
The five-area direct weighted average steer price last week was $1.23 lower on a live basis at $164.17. The average steer price in the beef was $1.50 lower at $263.82.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.33 lower Monday afternoon at $281.02/cwt. Select was $1.50 higher at $273.94/cwt.
Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ lower through Jly ‘24 and then mostly 1¢ higher.
KC HRW Wheat closed 6¢ to 8¢ lower.
Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 4¢ lower.