Cattle Fall Back into the Thursday Close

Live cattle futures retreated from early gains on Thursday with contracts down 32 to 72 cents at the close. Cash trade has seen some $260 sales in the South this week with, with northern trade at $408-415 dressed and $265 live. Feeder cattle futures posted $1.20 to $2.92 losses on Thursday.  The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 9 cents to $373.23 on May 13. 

The Thursday APHIS update on the New World Screwworm showed a total of 1,831 active cases of in Mexico as of Wednesday. There were 144 active cases in the bordering state of Tamaulipas (7 within a range of 85-97 miles of the US border), 62 active in Nuevo Leon (14 within a range of 79-99 miles of the US border), and 12 in Coahuila.

The weekly Export Sales report showed 7,538 MT of beef sold for 2026 in the week ending on May 7. That was the second lowest for the calendar year. Mexico was the buyer of 2,000 MT, with Korea buying 1,300 MT. Shipments were pegged at 12,531 MT, which was back down from last year. South Korea was the top destination of 4,300 MT, with 3,200 MT headed to Japan.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Thursday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel spread at a $1.55 premium to Select. Choice boxes were down $1.23 to $387.45, while Select was 42 cents lower at $389.00. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter for Thursday at 108,000 head, taking the weekly total to 426,000 head. That was up 4,000 head from last week but 34,262 head below the same week last year. 

Jun 26 Live Cattle  closed at $252.075, down $0.725,

Aug 26 Live Cattle  closed at $246.150, down $0.325,

Oct 26 Live Cattle  closed at $238.075, down $0.525,

May 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $367.575, up $0.250,

Aug 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $358.000, down $2.925,

Sep 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $355.225, down $2.750,