Live cattle futures are trading with $1 to $1.30 gains at Thursday’s midday. Cash activity so far this week has been $238-240 in the North, down $2-5 from last week. This morning’s Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no sales on the 1,516 head offered, with bids of $233-237. Feeder cattle futures are pushing higher on Thursday, with $1.85 to $2.10 gains at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 39 cents at $365.47 on September 9.

Export Sales data showed 12,053 MT in beef sales during the week of September 4, a 3-week low. Shipments were a calendar year low at just 8,650 MT in that week.

USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Thursday morning report, with the Chc/Sel spread at $23.50. Choice boxes were up 31 cents at $405.95, while Select was $1.23 lower to $382.45. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday was estimated 118,000 head, with the weekly total at 342,000. That was well above last week due to the Monday holiday but 24,999 head lower vs. the same week in 2024.

Oct 25 Live Cattle  are at $232.175, up $1.025,

Dec 25 Live Cattle  are at $233.950, up $1.275,

Feb 26 Live Cattle  are at $235.050, up $1.050,

Sep 25 Feeder Cattle  are at $355.275, up $2.075

Oct 25 Feeder Cattle  are at $352.250, up $1.850

Nov 25 Feeder Cattle  are at $350.300, up $2.025