Cattle Staying Higher So Far

Feeder cattle futures are leading the complex higher with triple digit gains of as much as 1.17% through midday. Fats are working 37 to 92 cents higher as well. USDA listed the bulk price for live cattle cash trade at $140 in KS and the South, with $145 in the North (though with a wide $140-$149 range). Dressed deals have been mostly $230 for the week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down by another 10 cents to $160.08, on 6/14. 

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the AM report, with Choice $1.11 weaker to $266.05 and Select was $1.89 higher to $247.27. USDA estimates the week to date FI cattle slaughter as 495k head through Thursday. That compares to 503k from last week and 481k head during the same week last year. 

Jun 22 Cattle  are at $138.150, up $0.400,

Aug 22 Cattle  are at $137.225, up $0.925,

Oct 22 Cattle  are at $142.850, up $0.775,

Aug 22 Feeder Cattle  are at $173.175, up $1.875

Sep 22 Feeder Cattle  are at $174.725, up $1.500