Live cattle futures saw steadier trade on Wednesday, with contracts up a nickel to 30 cents lower across the nearbys. Open interest was up 2,561 contracts. Cash trade has been quiet so far this week. The Wednesday Fed Cattle Exchange auction showed one lot of 138 head sold at $249 live, with the rest of the 1,541 head getting bids of $244-249 and $377 dressed. Feeder cattle futures were down 40 cents to 50 cents higher at the close. OI rose 1,288 contracts. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 5 cents to $376.02 on February 17.Â
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Wednesday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel spread tightening to $3.17. Choice boxes were down another 96 cents to $363.80, while Select was 41 cents higher to $360.63. USDA estimated Wednesday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 113,000 head, taking the weekly total to 315,000 head. That is 24,000 head above last week and 12,837 head below the same week last year.Â
Feb 26 Live Cattle  closed at $246.600, up $0.050,
Apr 26 Live Cattle  closed at $242.525, down $0.275,
Jun 26 Live Cattle  closed at $238.425, down $0.025,
Mar 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $370.575, down $0.400,
Apr 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $368.000, up $0.175,
May 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $364.225, up $0.425,
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.
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