Cattle Falls on Wednesday with Beef Weakness

Austin Schroeder Barchart Wed Oct 30, 4:57PM CDT
Young cow in pen with other cows by TippaPatt via Shutterstock

Live cattle futures posted Wednesday losses of 90 cents to $1.57 across the board. Cash trade saw some action on Wednesday, with trade anywhere from $189-190. Feeder cattle futures were down $1.10 to $2.65 on Wednesday, with October up 92 cents ahead of Thursday’s expiration. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 57 cents at $250.06 on October 29.

USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Wednesday afternoon report. Choice boxes were down $1.17 to $319.44/cwt, with Select 64 cents lower @ $289.32. The Chc/Sel spread narrowed to $30.12. USDA estimated Wednesday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 124,000 head, with the weekly total at 369,000. That is 2,000 head above the previous week but down 4,972 head from the same week last year.

Oct 24 Live Cattle  closed at $188.400, down $0.900,

Dec 24 Live Cattle  closed at $186.425, down $1.525,

Feb 25 Live Cattle  closed at $187.050, down $1.575,

Oct 24 Feeder Cattle  closed at $250.950, up $0.925,

Nov 24 Feeder Cattle  closed at $245.500, down $1.100,

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $241.975, down $2.050,


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.