Live cattle futures were back in rally mode on Wednesday, with contracts up $2.50 to $3.55. Cash trade has been quiet this week, with a few sales of $243 in KS reported on Wednesday. The Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed no sales on the 1,272 head offered, with bids of $238-240 on the hoof and $375 in the beef. Feeder cattle futures posted gains of $2.67 to $3.65 across the board on Wednesday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up 53 cents to $374.36 on February 10.
Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Wednesday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel spread narrowing to $3.34. Choice boxes were down $1.63 to $365.92, while Select was 32 cents higher at $362.58. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday at 116,000 head, with the weekly total at 339,000 head. That is 3,000 head above last week and 567 head above the same week last year.
Feb 26 Live Cattle closed at $242.350, up $3.250,
Apr 26 Live Cattle closed at $240.975, up $3.550,
Jun 26 Live Cattle closed at $236.575, up $2.775,
Mar 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $367.450, up $2.675,
Apr 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $364.600, up $3.325,
May 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $360.425, up $3.650,
