Cattle Futures Slip on Tuesday as Prices Decline

Live cattle futures fell between 10 and 67 cents on Tuesday, while cash trade saw gains with dressed cattle at $403 in the northern region and live cattle at $255‑$256; the southern market also recorded $255. Feeder cattle futures were mixed—August contracts rose 15 cents, but other contracts slipped as much as 47 cents, finishing near $2.85. The CME Feeder Cattle Index rebounded $2.08 on July 6 to $373.19.

The USDA’s weekly NASS Crop Progress report showed U.S. pasture conditions at 33 % good to excellent, a 1‑point decline from the prior week. The Brugler500 index added three points to close at 288.

Wholesale boxed‑beef prices were mixed in Tuesday’s afternoon report: the Choice‑Select spread measured $19.88, with Choice boxes down 71 cents at $385.77 and Select boxes up 2 cents to $365.89. Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Tuesday was estimated at 110,000 head, pushing the weekly total to 210,000. This total was 4,000 head lower than the previous week and 21,970 head below the comparable week last year.

Key futures closes (Aug 26 Live Cattle $238.425, –$0.675; Oct 26 Live Cattle $234.025, –$0.625; Dec 26 Live Cattle $234.000, –$0.475); Aug 26 Feeder Cattle $360.650, +$0.150; Sep 26 Feeder Cattle $357.400, –$0.475; Oct 26 Feeder Cattle $353.775, –$1.025.

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