Cattle Pull Back on Thursday

Live cattle were down 67 cents to $1.47 on Thursday. Feeder cattle futures pulled back off the last few strong sessions, with Thursday showing 87 cent to $1.90 losses. Thursday’s FCE online auction saw no sales on 1,202 head. Bids were $136-137, with asks $138-139 TX and $141 in CO. Cash trade so far this week has been $136 to $137 in the South and from $144 to $145 in the North. The CME Feeder Cattle Index for 7/13 was up 1.75 to $174.05.  

Export Sales data showed a calendar year low of 9,185 MT in beef sales during the week of July 7. Japan was the lead buyer of 3,800 MT, with Mexico buying 2,900 MT. Shipments were the lowest since March at 17,122 MT.

USDA’s Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the afternoon report. Choice was down 30 cents to $267.24, with Select $0.65 higher to $241.91. USDA estimated WTD cattle slaughter at 500,000 head through Thursday. That is 23,000 head more than the same week last year. 

Aug 22 Cattle  closed at $135.400, down $1.475,

Oct 22 Cattle  closed at $139.925, down $1.350,

Dec 22 Cattle  closed at $146.300, down $1.350,

Aug 22 Feeder Cattle  closed at $178.900, down $1.900

Sep 22 Feeder Cattle  closed at $181.625, down $1.450