On Thursday, live cattle futures increased by $2.30 to $3.57, driven by a stronger cash market with reported trades averaging $230 across the country. Feeder cattle futures rose significantly, by $4.60 to $5.02. The CME Feeder Cattle Index also climbed $1.44, reaching $345.47.
For the week ending November 13, export sales were recorded at 3,863 metric tons for 2025 and 2,922 metric tons for 2026, marking the lowest total since August. September beef exports were the lowest for that month since 2015, totaling 180.25 million pounds, while imports amounted to 139,656.8 metric tons, down 5% from August.
USDA data indicated a federal inspection slaughter of 123,000 head on Thursday, bringing the weekly total to 484,000—9,000 head higher than last week but 4,644 head lower than the same week last year. In terms of boxed beef prices, Choice decreased by $1.25 to $358.11 and Select fell by $1.42 to $343.46.
