Live cattle futures closed higher on March 17, with increases ranging from $1.45 to $1.97. Cash trade remained consistent, settling last week at $234-236. Feeder cattle futures also surged on Tuesday, gaining between $4.32 and $5.22. The CME Feeder Cattle Index declined by $1.30 to $357.05 as of March 13.
In Mexico, the Tuesday update from APHIS reported 1,025 active cases of New World Screwworm, with 28 cases in the bordering state of Tamaulipas. Meanwhile, USDA estimated a federally inspected cattle slaughter of 109,000 head for Tuesday, bringing the week’s total to 207,000, down 4,000 from the previous week and 30,219 from the same week last year.
Key closing prices on March 26 include: April Live Cattle at $235.225, June Live Cattle at $233.700, August Live Cattle at $231.325, March Feeder Cattle at $359.800, April Feeder Cattle at $354.800, and May Feeder Cattle at $350.625.
