Live cattle futures were 22 to 75 cents higher on Friday. December fats were up 72 cents for the week. Cash market catch up sales on Friday were reported mostly at $124, matching the week’s bulk. USDA noted most dressed sales for the week were near $196. Feeder cattle closed 72 to 85 cents in the red. The 10/14 CME Feeder Cattle Index was 66 cents lower at $153.35.    

USDA’s weekly Export Sales data showed beef bookings during the week of 10/7 were 15,741 MT. Accumulated beef exports were 719,932 MT through 10/7, up 17% yr/yr.  

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were weaker in the PM update. The 8 cent drop in Choice left boxes at $280.24 cwt. and Select’s 6 cent pullback left prices $260.62 cwt. USDA estimated FI cattle slaughter at 646k head this week through Saturday. That is down from 657k last week and from 659k last year. YTD cattle slaughter is still 3.2% ahead of 2020’s pace with 26.28m head. 

Dec 21 Cattle  closed at $130.975, up $0.675, 

Feb 22 Cattle  closed at $135.350, up $0.700, 

Nov 21 Feeder Cattle  closed at $161.425, down $0.725 

Jan 22 Feeder Cattle  closed at $161.525, down $0.825