Live cattle futures posted slight gains in the front months, with the soon to expire October up $3.87. Cash trade has been $230 in the north early this week, with other bids near that and $235 in the South. Other bids have been reported at $228-230. The Thursday Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed $235.50 sales on 443 of the 1,706 head offered. Feeder cattle futures were down 25 to 60 cents in the front months, with other contracts showing some slight strength. October expired at the close. The CME Feeder Cattle Index fell $4.62 at $352 on October 29.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Thursday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel spread at $18.75. Choice boxes were down $3.11 to $378.27, while Select was $2.27 lower at $359.52. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Thursday at 114,000 head, with the week to date total at 457,000 head. That is 11,000 head above last week but 34,397 head shy of the same week last year.
Oct 25 Live Cattle closed at $235.275, up $3.875,
Dec 25 Live Cattle closed at $231.100, up $0.200,
Feb 26 Live Cattle closed at $229.500, up $0.050,
Oct 25 Feeder Cattle closed at $347.275, down $0.600,
Nov 25 Feeder Cattle closed at $341.825, down $0.250,
Jan 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $334.225, up $0.200,
