Live cattle futures advanced 75 to 95 cents in the front months on Monday, following last week’s cash trades ranging between $220-$222. Feeder cattle futures opened the week with gains of $1.50 to $1.95 per contract, while the CME Feeder Cattle Index declined 67 cents on August 27 to close at $332.80. The Monday OKC feeder cattle auction featured an estimated 3,700 head for sale, with initial demand described as moderate.
Commitment of Traders data revealed managed money reduced their net long position in live cattle futures and options by 4,073 contracts, bringing the total to 57,441 contracts as of Tuesday. Similarly, feeder cattle positions were trimmed by 1,784 contracts, resulting in a net long of 5,714 contracts for the week ending August 25.
Wholesale boxed beef prices declined in Monday’s morning report, with Choice boxed beef dropping $1.03 to $375.20 and Select beef falling $6.57 to $354.51. The Choice-Select spread widened to $20.69. USDA data estimated last week’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 542,000 head, up 19,000 from the prior week but 24,581 head fewer than the same period last year.
Live cattle futures for October 2026 settled at $212.50, December 2026 at $214.625, and February 2027 at $216.45, with all three months registering gains. Feeder cattle contracts for September, October, and November 2026 closed at $322.85, $318.25, and $311.50, respectively, each rising by $1.50 to $1.95 on the session.
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