Live cattle futures ended strong on December 25, with contracts rising by 90 cents to $1.12. Cash trade saw sales between $229-230, steady to $2 higher than the previous week. However, February contracts declined by $1.15 week-over-week. Feeder cattle futures also gained, with prices up $1.45 to $1.75; January contracts closed 57 cents higher from last Friday.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices reported declines, with Choice boxes dropping $3.41 to $351.21 and Select boxes decreasing by $1.95 to $343.80. The Chc/Sel spread narrowed to $7.41. Additionally, federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 429,000 head for the week, significantly lower than last week and 4,042 head below the same week last year.
