Cattle Mixed Around on Monday, as Boxed Beef Prices Improve
Live cattle closed the Monday session with contracts mostly 5 to 72 cents lower, as a couple spring 2025 contracts were slightly higher. Cash was mixed around last week, with the South seeing action anywhere from $183-185, and the North at $186-187. Feeders were higher on the day, as contracts were 5 to 57 cents higher, with exception to a couple deferred contracts. The CME Feeder Cattle index was back up 75 cents on May 10 to $241.36.
Crop Progress data showed pasture ratings up 1% to 47% gd/ex, taking the Brugler500 index up 3 points to 322. A weighted average the major beef cow states saw ratings increase 5 points to 337.
USDA’s Wholesale Boxed Beef prices shot higher in the Monday afternoon report. Choice boxes were up $4.38 at $298.95, with Select $3.01 higher to $287.18. That widened the Chc/Sel spread to $11.77. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 116,000 head for Monday. That down 4,000 head from last Monday and 8,964 head below last year.
Jun 24 Live Cattle closed at $175.575, down $0.575,
Aug 24 Live Cattle closed at $173.400, down $0.725,
Oct 24 Live Cattle closed at $176.825, down $0.600,
May 24 Feeder Cattle closed at $239.375, up $0.575,
Aug 24 Feeder Cattle closed at $251.350, up $0.450,
Sep 24 Feeder Cattle closed at $252.225, up $0.250,
On the date of publication, Alan Brugler 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.
