Live cattle futures saw declines, settling down $1.55 to $1.87, from initial midday gains of 50 cents to $1.35. Cash trade has decreased, with northern prices reported at $236 ($376 dressed), down $4-6, and southern prices at $231, a decrease of $5. Feeder cattle futures also dropped, settling down $1.55 to $1.72. The CME Feeder Cattle Index decreased by 5 cents to $310.99.
USDA’s export sales data indicated 11,711 MT of beef sold for 2025 for the week ending June 12, down 23.64% from the previous week. Cattle on feed as of June 1 was at 98.78% of last year’s levels, reflecting a 1.2% decrease, with May placements at 1.886 million head, down 7.8%. The national slaughter estimate for Friday reached 102,000 head, totaling 553,000 for the week, a decline of 3,000 from the prior week and 41,481 from the same period last year.
The closing prices for June Live Cattle were at $223.025, down $1.275; August Live Cattle at $209.825, down $1.850; and October Live Cattle at $207.350, down $1.875. For Feeder Cattle, August closed at $302.450, down $1.725; September at $302.225, down $1.575; and October at $300.350, down $1.550.
