Friday markets
The market headed into the weekend on a mostly higher note.
Live cattle futures were higher, up 47 cents on the August contract to $231.70 and up 35 cents on the October contract to $225.27.
Cash trade for the day was not released by WLJ press time.
“There’s been some light trade noted this morning in the South, but thus far the day’s business has been mostly cleanup in its nature, and any trade that develops this afternoon will likely keep with the week’s trend,” wrote ShayLe Stewart, DTN livestock analyst, in her midday comments.
Slaughter through the day totaled 95,000 head, compared to 98,000 head a week earlier. With tomorrow’s slaughter expected at just 1,000 head, total slaughter for the week is estimated at 509,000 head, compared to 512,000 head a week earlier.
Boxed beef prices were higher on 60 loads. The Choice cutout gained 50 cents to close at $364.36, and the Select cutout gained $2.59 to close at $352.37.
The lean beef trim contracts were unchanged over the day. The 50% lean trim August contract was unchanged at $171, and the September contract was unchanged at $161. The 90% lean beef trim August contract was unchanged at $457, and the September contract lost $3 to close at $450.
Feeder cattle
Feeder cattle futures were several dollars higher, up $3.60 on the August contract to $351.65 and up $3.65 on the September contract to $345.22.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index gained $4.28 to close at $352.93.
Corn futures were unchanged, with the September contract at $4.39 and the December contract at $4.62. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
