On Thursday, April 26, live cattle futures remained nearly unchanged, trading within 20 cents of the previous values. Cash trade registered light activity at $246 in the South, reflecting an increase of up to $1 from last week. During the Central Stockyards Fed Cattle Exchange online auction, bids ranged from $244 to $244.50, but no sales were finalized for the 970 head offered. The CME Feeder Cattle Index decreased by 4 cents to $364.55.
The USDA’s Export Sales report revealed that 17,408 metric tons of beef were sold during the week of April 2, marking the third-largest sale volume so far this year, while shipments totaled 13,321 metric tons, the lowest in four weeks. Additionally, wholesale boxed beef prices increased, with Choice boxes up $2.71 to $382.37, and Select boxes higher by 60 cents at $382.87. Estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday was 109,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 320,000, a decline of 4,000 head from the previous week and 29,745 head lower than the same week last year.
