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On Thursday, live cattle futures fell 57 cents to $1.22, with preliminary open interest declining by 2,295 contracts. The Fed Cattle Exchange reported no sales for the 2,552 head listed, and light cash trade occurred at $230, which was a decrease of $2-5 from the previous week. Dressed trade was noted at $360. Additionally, feeder cattle futures dropped between $4.65 and $5.20, with an overall decrease in open interest of 566 contracts.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices also declined, with Choice boxes down $5.25 to $363.22 and Select falling $3.49 to $343.40, narrowing the Chc/Sel spread to $19.82. The USDA estimated the federally inspected cattle slaughter for Thursday at 113,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 461,000 head, which is 5,000 head lower than last week and 30,285 head below the same week in 2024.
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