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Live cattle futures closed on October 25 with losses ranging from $2 to $3.37, while cash trade showed some activity with $365 dressed sales in the Northern U.S., down $5 from the previous week. The Fed Cattle Exchange auction had no sales from the 2,144 heads offered, despite bids at $232. Feeder cattle futures also reflected volatility, with September closing at $365.425, up $0.050, but other months down by $4.40 to $5.57.
USDA reported a decrease in export sales, with just 8,446 metric tons of beef sold in the week ending September 18, marking a six-week low. Japan was the largest buyer at 2,000 MT, followed by Mexico at 1,800 MT. Additionally, USDA boxed beef prices showed select boxes down $2.97 to $353.45, while choice boxes were down $5.42 at $371.97.
Thursday’s estimated cattle slaughter was 115,000 head, pushing the week-to-date total to 466,000 head, which is 6,000 more than last week but 35,175 less than the same week in 2024.
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