At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher ahead of the week’s direct cash business. October live cattle closed $1 higher at $184.22 and December live cattle closed $.85 higher at $188.27. October feeder cattle closed $2.30 higher at $261.45 and November feeders closed $2.12 higher at $262.75.
Direct cash cattle trade activity started the week in its typical quiet fashion. Showlists are somewhat lower in Nebraska/Colorado and lower in Kansas and Texas. Bids and asking prices didn’t surface. It’s likely significant trade volume will be delayed until sometime midweek or later.
At the Oklahoma National Stockyards, feeder steers were $1 to $4 higher and feeder heifers were mostly steady to $3 lower. Steer calves were $1 to $3 lower and heifer calves were $2 to $5 lower. The USDA says demand was good for feeder cattle and moderate for calves. Quality was mostly plain to average. Timely moisture and cooler temps are beneficial to farmers in the area. Receipts were up from two weeks ago and on the year. Feeder supply included 52% steers and 42% of the offering was over 600 pounds. Medium and Large 1 feeder steers 704 to 734 pounds brought $261 to $266 and feeder steers 766 to 795 pounds brought $248 to $255.75. Medium and Large 1 feeder heifers 510 to 547 pounds brought $245 to $264 and feeder heifers 613 to 635 pounds brought $226 to $242.
Boxed beef closed lower on light demand for solid offerings.
