Monday markets
The cattle market opened the first full trading week of the year on a green note.
Live cattle futures were mixed, down 12 cents on the February contract to $235.87 and up 82 cents on the April contract to $236.80.
“Friday’s advancement above the market’s 100-day moving average was a significant move, as that’s been a challenging threshold that the market hasn’t traded over for the last two months,” wrote ShayLe Stewart, DTN livestock analyst, in her midday comments.
Cash trade for the day was light, with less than 50 head sold. Dressed steers sold for $360. On the formula side, a total of 32,100 head averaging 949 lbs. averaged $364.98.
Cash trade for the week ending Jan. 4 totaled 43,987 head. Live steers sold for $231.71, and dressed steers sold for $360.62.
Slaughter for the day is projected at 115,000 head, compared to 118,000 head a week earlier. Total slaughter for a week earlier is estimated at 474,000 head.
Boxed beef prices were higher on 118 loads. The Choice cutout gained $3.73 to close at $353.70, and the Select cutout gained $4.58 to close at $351.50.
Feeder cattle
“It would seem the market’s fundamental path forward in this 2026 is significantly more complicated not only from a year ago but in most other times in history,” said Cassie Fish, market analyst, in The Beef. “And with feeder cattle replacement costs sky high and breakevens uncomfortably high, there is a lot riding on how this critical year plays out for cattle feeders.”
Feeder cattle futures were higher, with the January contract up $2.87 to $358.97 and the March contract up $355.57.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index gained $2.89 to close at $353.11.
Corn futures were higher, up 7 cents on the March contract to $4.44 and up 6 cents on the May contract to $4.52.
“It will be especially interesting to watch feeder cattle sales early this week, as the last real test seen in the countryside was the week before Christmas, and since then, the futures market has gained substantial ground,” Stewart said.
Missouri: Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage sold 14,000 head on Monday. Compared to a week earlier, feeder steers sold $5-10 higher at the mid-session. Heavy four-weight and light five-weight steers sold up to $45 higher. Feeder heifers sold $5-15 higher. Benchmark steers averaging 762 lbs. sold from $346-375, averaging $362.32.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City sold 9,800 head on Monday. Compared to the last sale held in December, at the mid-session, feeder steers sold $3-8 higher. Feeder heifers sold $10-15 higher. Steer calves sold $15-25 higher. Heifer calves under 500 lbs. sold mostly steady, over 500 lbs. sold $20 higher. Benchmark steers averaging 777 lbs. sold from $340-367.50, averaging $360.19. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
