Cattle Futures Down 27 to 55 Cents to Begin Week

Live cattle futures closed the first trade day of the week with 27 to 55 cent losses. USDA reported some cash trade from $135.50 to $137 Tuesday, with business in NE and KS. Feeder cattle also closed red, with a triple digit loss in Jan and 55 to 95 cent losses in the other front months. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down another 41 cents on 1/17 to $161.30.   

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were stronger on Tuesday, with a $1.63 boost to Choice and a $1.34 bump in Select. USDA estimated Monday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 117,000 head for Tuesday. Monday’s 113k head has the week’s total at 230,000. That compares to 227k head last week and matches the same week last year. 

Feb 22 Cattle  closed at $137.675, down $0.300,

Jun 22 Cattle  closed at $137.075, down $0.550,

Jan 22 Feeder Cattle  closed at $161.450, down $1.250

Mar 22 Feeder Cattle  closed at $165.425, down $0.950