**Live Cattle Futures Show Gains on Tuesday**
On Tuesday, live cattle futures increased by 22 cents to $1 across front-month contracts, with cash trade reflecting a few cattle sold at $232 amid low volume. Feeder cattle futures also rose by 70 cents to $1.55, closing the day with the CME Feeder Cattle Index down $1.26 to $367.68. The Oklahoma City feeder cattle auction on Monday reported 9,551 head sold, with prices stable to $4 lower.
**Wholesale Beef Prices and Slaughter Rates**
According to the USDA’s afternoon report, wholesale boxed beef prices improved, with Choice boxes rising 43 cents to $364.76 and Select boxes falling 49 cents to $359.84, resulting in a Chc/Sel spread of $4.92. Tuesday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 114,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 219,000, which is down 16,000 head from last week and 15,837 head compared to the same period last year.
