Live cattle futures declined on Thursday, with contracts falling between $2.20 and $3. Feeder cattle futures also dropped by $5.175 to $5.600 across the front months. The Fed Cattle Exchange auction saw no sales from the 1,188 head offered, and light cash trade in the North was recorded at $384-386 and $243-245 for live action. Southern bids also reported lower prices at $232.
USDA Export Sales data for the week ending August 7 showed a calendar year low of 4,282 MT of beef sold, with Japan purchasing 3,200 MT and South Korea at 500 MT. Actual shipments reached a four-week low of 11,358 MT, primarily to Japan (3,900 MT) and South Korea (3,300 MT).
As of August 24, live cattle closed at $233.350 for August, $226.825 for October, and $228.400 for December. Feeder cattle closed at $340.400 for August, $341.025 for September, and $340.450 for October. USDA estimated Thursday’s cattle slaughter at 113,000 head, totaling 446,000 for the week, which is 30,501 head lower than the same week in 2024.
