Live cattle futures are 10 to 27 cents stronger at midday, save for a 15 cent dip in December. Feeder cattle on the other hand are in the red so far, with 7 to 25 cent drops. March contracts are UNCH. The 11/30 CME Feeder Cattle Index was $140.30, up another $1.41. The FCE online cattle auction sold 533 of the 1,025 head listed for $110.50 and $110.75. There was another passed bid for 144 TX heifers for $110.50. Cash trade for the week has been limited in NE and WCB mostly at $110, with the full range of $106 to $110.50. Wholesale boxed beef prices were mixed again on Wednesday’s morning. Choice boxes were quoted at $241.70 cwt. down $1.70 and Select was at $224.21 up $1.13. USDA estimated weekly FI cattle slaughter for Tuesday at 122,000 head. WTD slaughter is 241k head, down 1,000 yr/yr and even with last year.
| Dec 20 Cattle are at $110.475, down $0.150, |
| Feb 21 Cattle are at $113.375, up $0.200, |
| Apr 21 Cattle are at $116.925, up $0.100, |
| Jan 21 Feeder Cattle are at $141.425, down $0.225 |
| Mar 21 Feeder Cattle are at $140.650, unch |
| Apr 21 Feeder Cattle are at $141.800, down $0.075 |
— provided by Brugler Marketing & Management
