On Monday, live cattle futures increased by $1.67 to $1.95, with preliminary open interest rising by 4,462 contracts, indicating strong buying interest. Cash trade reports from Friday showed Kansas prices at $230-231 and northern action at $240-242. Feeder cattle futures rose by $3.50 to $3.70. The CME Feeder Cattle Index increased by $3.52, reaching $325.80 on July 18, while an online auction in Oklahoma City sold 4,500 feeder cattle, with prices $4-8 higher.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed; choice boxes fell by $1.48 to $372.07, while select boxes decreased by $1.44 to $350.05. The USDA estimated Monday’s cattle slaughter at 105,000 head, down from the previous week by 7,000 head and 8,887 head lower than the same week in 2024.
