Holiday Weekend Approaches as Cattle Markets Show Mixed Performance and Beef Prices Decline

Live cattle futures closed with losses of $2.05 to $2.60 on Thursday, with August contracts declining $6.60 for the week. Cash sales in the northern region reached $403 dressed, while live trade prices ranged between $255-256. Southern cash trade held at $255, with both regions experiencing softness compared to the prior week. Feeder cattle futures fell broadly by $2.72 to $3.80 on Thursday, as August contracts dropped $9.22 week-over-week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index slipped $5.74 to $371.25 on July 1. Markets will close for the July 4th Independence Day Holiday on Friday, creating a three-day weekend.

USDA Export Sales data revealed beef sales of 126,062 MT for the week ending June 25, marking a 2026 calendar year high. Shipments totaled 128,967 MT, also reaching a 2026 peak, with an additional 111,164 MT in late reporting for sales and shipments.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices weakened in Thursday’s afternoon report, with the Choice/Select spread narrowing to $19.64. Choice boxes fell $4.19 to $387.07, while Select boxes declined $2.26 to $367.43. USDA estimated Thursday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 109,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 433,000 head—steady with the prior week but 39,421 head below the same week last year. Key contract closes included: Aug 26 Live Cattle ($239.225, down $2.600), Oct 26 Live Cattle ($234.300, down $2.425), Dec 26 Live Cattle ($234.225, down $2.350), Aug 26 Feeder Cattle ($360.625, down $3.525), Sep 26 Feeder Cattle ($358.475, down $3.700), and Oct 26 Feeder Cattle ($355.575, down $3.725).

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