Cattle Prices Continue Declining on Thursday

Live cattle futures closed lower on Thursday, with contracts down $2.35 to $3.05, finishing at $3.05 per hundredweight.

Cash trade activity increased, featuring light northern sales of $378 to $380 for dressed cattle and live market reports ranging from $238 to $240, while southern transactions were reported at $237 to $238.

According to USDA export sales data, beef sales for 2026 amounted to 7,973 metric tons for the week ending July 9, marking the fourth lowest weekly total of the year. Shipments totaled 10,354 metric tons, the lowest annual figure to date.

Wholesale boxed beef prices were lower in the Thursday afternoon report. Choice”][ ]

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Choice boxes slipped $2.90 to $369.34 per hundredweight, and Select fell $3.49 to $355.69.

USDA reported federally inspected cattle slaughter at 109,000 head on Tuesday, with the cumulative weekly total reaching 433,000 head, an increase of 3,000 head from the prior week but 29,283 head fewer than the same period last year.

Live cattle futures showed broad declines across the board: August 26 contracts settled at $227.075, down $3.050; October 26 at $223.275, down $2.725; and December 26 at $223.200, down $2.350. Feeder cattle futures also fell, with August 26 at $346.600, down $3.350; September 26 at $340.350, down $4.025; and October 26 at $334.450, down $4.400.

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