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Cattle Prices Decline on Thursday

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Market Update: Live Cattle Futures Face Decline Amidst Ongoing Trade Activity

Live Cattle Prices Drop as Cash Market Sees Activity

Live cattle futures reported losses ranging from $1.47 to $1.92 on Thursday as traders adopted a cautious approach. Cash trading during the week began with prices at $201 in the Southern U.S., while reports of sales in the Northeast reached between $202 and $205. An online auction conducted at the Central Stockyards Fed Cattle Exchange on Thursday morning indicated sales for two lots at $201. In related news, feeder cattle futures also fell, closing down between $1.775 and $2.075. The CME Feeder Cattle Index rose by 27 cents from the previous day to $278.31.

Beef Exports Reach Three-Week High

Data from the Weekly Export Sales report revealed that 9,732 metric tons (MT) of beef were sold for delivery in 2025 during the week starting January 9. Japan emerged as the largest buyer, acquiring 3,600 MT, followed closely by China with 3,500 MT purchased. Export shipments for that week totaled 14,640 MT, marking a three-week high. Japan again led as the top destination, receiving 3,800 MT, while South Korea took in 3,600 MT.

Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices Show Mixed Results

The USDA’s Thursday afternoon report on wholesale Boxed Beef prices presented a mixed picture, with the choice/select spread narrowing to $14.03. Choice beef boxes dropped by 73 cents, settling at $333.41 per hundredweight (cwt), whereas Select boxes increased by $1.34 to reach $319.38. Additionally, the USDA estimated that federally inspected cattle slaughter for Thursday was 122,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 488,000 head. This figure is 14,000 head higher than the previous week and shows an increase of 34,788 head from the same week last year.

Closing Prices for Live and Feeder Cattle Futures

Feb 25 Live Cattle closed at $196.600, down $1.925.

Apr 25 Live Cattle closed at $197.675, down $1.650.

Jun 25 Live Cattle closed at $191.975, down $1.475.

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle closed at $273.450, down $1.775.

Mar 25 Feeder Cattle closed at $267.725, down $2.075.

Apr 25 Feeder Cattle closed at $268.200, down $1.925.

On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data are intended solely for informational purposes. For further details, please refer to the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.

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