Live cattle futures fell $2 to $2.30 on Friday, with the October contract losing $6 for the week. Cash trade settled at $240, down $2 from the prior week. Feeder cattle futures tumbled $4.82 to $7.25 in the front months, and the September contract was down $9.42 on the week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index slipped 40 cents to $363.08 on September 11. Managed money added 561 contracts to their net long in live cattle futures and options, reaching 131,003 contracts, while speculators cut 2,739 contracts from their net long in feeder cattle, reducing it to 25,636 contracts. USDA Choice boxed beef dropped 75 cents to $400.04 and Select fell $1.51 to $378.44, with the Choice-Select spread at $21.60. Weekly federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 561,000 head, down 62,990 from the same week in 2024.
Feeder cattle futures tumbled $4.82-$7.25 in front months, with September contract down $9.42 on the week, reflecting weak demand or ample supply.
Live cattle futures fell $2-$2.30 on Friday, with October contract down $6 for the week, indicating bearish supply/demand balance.