Live cattle futures caught some strength on Friday, with contracts up $1.10 to $1.65 at the close. December was up $1.30 on the week. USDA reported northern dressed sales at $350-355 and $222-227 live. Southern sales were reported at $228. The Friday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed sales of $228-228.50 on 571 of the 2,596 head offered, with a few $224-228.50 bids. Feeder cattle futures ended Friday with mixed action, as most contracts were 25 cents to $1.70 higher and November down a nickel, both on Friday and the week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was another 90 cents higher on October 15 to $343.54.
Friday’s Commitment of Traders report from CFTC showed managed money trimming 2,172 contracts from their net long in live cattle futures and options in the week of 10/13, taking it to 47,748 contracts. In feeder cattle futures and options, specs added a modest 65 contracts to their net long as of Tuesday at 8,852 contracts.
USDA Export Sales data showed 19,766 MT of beef sold in the week ending on 10/8 for 2026. Shipments were 12,872 MT in that week a 14-week high.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Friday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel at $19.26. Choice boxes were down $1.67 to $372.31, with Select 43 cents higher to $353.05. USDA estimated Federally inspected cattle slaughter for this week at 553,000 head through Saturday. That is now up just 2,000 from the week prior but 26,191 head below the same week last year.
Oct 26 Live Cattle closed at $227.550, up $1.600,
Dec 26 Live Cattle closed at $228.350, up $1.100,
Feb 27 Live Cattle closed at $230.875, up $1.250,
Oct 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $343.625, up $0.250,
Nov 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $341.900, down $0.050,
Jan 27 Feeder Cattle closed at $338.275, up $0.375,
On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.