On Monday, live cattle futures increased by 47 cents to $1.10, with cash trade remaining steady from the previous week. Dressed trade in the North was observed at $384-386, while live sales ranged from $243-245; Southern sales were at $235-237. Feeder cattle futures also saw gains from $2.75 to $4.35, with the CME Feeder Cattle Index dropping $3.58 to $342.17 on August 15.
The USDA reported an estimated cattle slaughter of 100,000 head for Monday, down 3,000 from last week and 18,487 lower compared to the same day in 2024. Wholesale Boxed Beef prices rose, with Choice boxes up $3.67 to $404.24 and Select boxes increasing by $6.38 to $377.14, as retailers stock up ahead of Labor Day. The Chc/Sel spread narrowed to $27.10.
Key futures closed as follows: Aug 25 Live Cattle at $236.725, up $0.475; Oct 25 Live Cattle at $231.175, up $0.525; Dec 25 Live Cattle at $233.275, up $1.100. For feeder cattle, Aug 25 closed at $348.900, up $2.750; Sep 25 at $350.925, up $3.575; and Oct 25 at $350.250, up $4.350.
