Live cattle futures closed Friday’s session higher, advancing between 12 cents and $1.15. Cash cattle trade in the southern plains centered near $188, while northern markets traded around $198—both figures sitting well above nearby futures levels. Feeder cattle also finished firmer, gaining 82 cents to $2.50. The CME Feeder Cattle Index eased 49 cents on July 11 to $261.04.
Commitment of Traders data revealed that managed money reduced its net long position in live cattle futures and options by 1,517 contracts as of last Tuesday, leaving a net long of 61,426 contracts. During the same week, speculators trimmed their feeder cattle net long by 1,275 contracts to 2,656 contracts as of July 9.
USDA’s Friday afternoon wholesale boxed beef report showed mixed pricing. Choice boxes rose 41 cents to $322.06 per hundredweight, while Select boxes declined $1.07 to $302.31. USDA estimated last week’s fed cattle slaughter at 601,000 head, notably above the prior holiday-shortened week but 32,391 head below the same week a year earlier.
Aug 24 Live Cattle closed at $182.375, up $0.125,
Oct 24 Live Cattle closed at $184.075, up $0.575,
Dec 24 Live Cattle closed at $185.475, up $0.425,
Aug 24 Feeder Cattle closed at $258.650, up $2.500,
Sep 24 Feeder Cattle closed at $258.100, up $1.750,
Oct 24 Feeder Cattle closed at $257.550, up $1.450,
