**Live Cattle Futures Decline Amid Steady Cash Trade**
On Wednesday, live cattle futures dropped $2.00 to $2.10, with cash trades remaining inactive. The Fed Cattle Exchange auction reported sales of 67 out of 1,790 head offered at $236.50, amidst bids ranging from $233 to $235.50. Feeder cattle futures also fell significantly, decreasing by $4.50 to $6.60 at midday.
In terms of market conditions, wholesale boxed beef prices increased, with choice boxes up $1.27 to $395.94 and select boxes rising $1.85 to $388.62. The USDA estimated the federally inspected cattle slaughter on Tuesday at 108,000 head, bringing the week-to-date total to 211,000—28,002 fewer than the same week last year.
