Live cattle futures ended Wednesday's session with contracts up 62 cents to $1.35. Cash trade has yet to begin this week, and the Central Stockyards Fed Cattle Exchange reported no sales on the 3,044 head offered, with bids ranging from $185 to $187. Feeder cattle futures closed $1.15 to $2.20 higher, while the CME Feeder Cattle Index slipped a penny to $250.72 on November 5. USDA wholesale boxed beef prices were lower in the afternoon report, with Choice boxes down $1.62 to $315.59 per hundredweight and Select down $2.04 to $283.20, widening the Choice/Select spread to $32.39. Federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 125,000 head for Wednesday, bringing the weekly total to 369,000 head, even with the prior week but down 4,798 head from the same week last year.
Feeder cattle futures closed $1.15 to $2.20 higher, indicating positive price movement.
Live cattle futures rallied up to $1.35 on Wednesday, with contracts up 62 cents to $1.35.
