Live cattle futures are trading with Thursday midday losses of $2.70 to $3.65. The Thursday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction from Central Stockyards showed $209 sales on two lots in KS, with one lot sold at $211 in CO using the BidTheGrid™ method. Feeder cattle futures are $2.20 to $2.50 lower, with January $1.37 in the green. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up another 39 cents from the day prior at $279.45 on January 28.
USDA reported a total of 20,166 MT of beef sold for 2025 shipment in the week ending on 1/23, the largest so far this year. South Korea was the buyer of 11,800 MT, with Japan in for 3,800 MT. Shipments also climbed to 21,490 MT in that week. That was 82.54% larger than the week prior and 39.23% above the same week last year. South Korea was the destination of 3,400 MT, with 2,700 MT headed to Japan.
USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Thursday AM report, with the Chc/Sel spread @ $12.42. Choice boxes were down $1.68 at $328.86/cwt, with Select $4.23 lower at $316.44. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 124,000 head on Wednesday, taking the weekly total to 362,000 head. That is 1,000 head below last week and down 12,128 head from the same week last year.
Feb 25 Live Cattle are at $204.300, down $2.725,
Apr 25 Live Cattle are at $201.300, down $3.650,
Jun 25 Live Cattle are at $195.750, down $3.000,
Jan 25 Feeder Cattle are at $281.925, up $1.375
Mar 25 Feeder Cattle are at $273.050, down $2.225
Apr 25 Feeder Cattle are at $272.325, down $2.275
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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