On Thursday, August 25, live cattle futures increased by $2.45 to $2.90 across various contracts. There were no deliveries for August live cattle on the previous Wednesday, and cash trade has not yet commenced this week following Wednesday’s reported $237 in the FCE. Feeder cattle futures rose significantly, ranging from $3.62 to $6.07 higher, marking new highs, with the CME Feeder Cattle Index reaching $336.97 as of August 6.
Beef export sales for the week ending July 31 totaled 15,921 MT, nearly double the prior week, with shipments hitting a four-week high at 14,049 MT. The USDA reported Thursday’s estimated cattle slaughter at 115,000 head, leading to a weekly total of 447,000 head, reflecting an increase of 6,000 from last week but a decrease of 34,910 from the same week in 2024.
Closing prices on August 25 were as follows: Live Cattle—Aug at $238.750 (up $2.450), Oct at $232.225 (up $2.575), Dec at $233.625 (up $2.900); Feeder Cattle—Aug at $348.650 (up $3.625), Sep at $349.625 (up $5.400), Oct at $348.475 (up $6.075).
