Monday markets
The cattle market opened the week higher on the board, with optimism for the week ahead.
Live cattle futures were higher, up $1.52 on the February contract to $235.25 and up $1.40 on the April contract to $236.07.
“The live cattle complex is higher moving into Monday’s noon hour as traders are pleased to see that after Friday’s close, the fed cash cattle market did see higher prices in the South,” said ShayLe Stewart, DTN livestock analyst, in her midday comments. “It seems as though traders have been reluctant to overly advance the contracts without seeing more robust fundamental support.”
Cash trade for the day totaled about 180 head. Live steers sold for $233, and a trend was not noted for dressed steers. On the formula side, a total of 28,300 head averaging 951 lbs. averaged $368.21.
Cash trade through the week ending Jan. 11 totaled 81,146 head. Live steers averaged $232.03, and dressed steers averaged $365.07.
Slaughter for the day is estimated at 114,000 head, compared to 115,000 head a week earlier. Total slaughter for a week earlier is projected at 553,000 head.
Boxed beef prices closed higher on 103 loads. The Choice cutout gained $1.48 to close at $357.11, and the Select cutout gained $5.88 to close at $358.05.
“Monday’s WASDE report shared mostly supportive news for the cattle and beef markets of 2026,” Stewart said.
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report updated beef production in 2026 by 10 million pounds as carcass weights continue to increase.
“Quarterly steer prices are mostly increased from last month’s estimate as steers in the first quarter are expected to average $232 (up $2.00 from December); steers in the second quarter are expected to average $234 (unchanged from December); steers in the third quarter are expected to average $237 (up $1.00 from December); and steers in the fourth quarter are expected to average $240,”Stewart said.
Beef imports are expected to increase by 75 million pounds, and beef exports are expected to decrease by 60 million pounds.
Feeder cattle
Feeder cattle futures were higher, up $1.32 on the January contract to $362.05 and up $1.47 on the March contract to $356.17.
“Much like the live cattle complex, the feeder cattle complex again seems willing to advance the contracts—but is hungry to see more fundamental support as the market is facing some new resistance,” Stewart said.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index lost 17 cents to close at $367.90.
Corn futures plummeted, down 24 cents on the March contract to $4.21 and down 23 cents on the May contract to $4.30.
Missouri: Joplin Regional Stockyards sold 14,000 head on Monday. Compared to a week earlier, four-weight steers sold $20 higher and heavier weights sold from $10 lower to $5 higher. Feeder heifers sold from $7 lower to $8 higher. Benchmark steers averaging 776 lbs. sold from $350-373, averaging $359.77.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City sold 11,800 head on Monday. Compared to a week earlier, cattle sold steady to $3 lower. Benchmark steers averaging 777 lbs. sold from $355-370, averaging $365.69. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
