Monday markets
The cattle market opened higher to begin the week.
Live cattle futures were higher over the day. The October contract gained $2.57 to close at $222.25, and the December contract gained $2.95 to $225.15.
There was no cash trade noted for today. On the formula side, a total of 37,900 head averaging 956 lbs. averaged $354.62.
Cash trade for the week ending Sept. 13 totaled 66,775 head. Live steers averaged $223.38, and dressed steers averaged $350.55.
“Cash trade waited until Friday to begin in earnest, even continuing on Saturday as packers scrambled to cover cattle inventory needs, buying 67k head and paying up $3.76/cwt on average from $219.08 the prior week which was the low for 2026 so far,” said Cassie Fish, market analyst, in The Beef. “Expectations for this week are $1 to $2/cwt higher.”
Slaughter for the day totaled about 106,000 head, compared to 2,000 head a week earlier on Labor Day. Total slaughter for last week is estimated at 505,000 head, compared to 526,000 head a week earlier.
“The Cargill Fort Morgan plant is back in operation and processing margins remain positive,” the Cattle Report wrote today. “This will encourage larger weekly volumes of slaughter. Larger slaughter translates into more current feedlot supplies and given the past few months of placements of cattle on feed, the supplies in the feedlot are not yet ready to increase.”
Boxed beef prices were mixed on 97 loads. The Choice cutout lost 63 cents to close at $375.31, and the Select cutout gained $1.42 to close at $354.55.
Feeder cattle
Feeder cattle futures were higher, up $5.75 to $343.57 on the September contract and up $5.35 to $337.85 on the October contract.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index gained $2.26 to close at $331.22.
Corn futures were higher, up a penny on the September contract to $5.12 and up 3 cents on the December contract to $5.33.
Missouri: Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage sold 10,000 head on Monday. Compared to the sale held two weeks earlier, feeder steers under 600 lbs. sold $20-30 higher, with heavier weights selling steady to $5 higher. Benchmark steers averaging 764 lbs. sold from $331-344, averaging $338.73.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma National Stockyards in Oklahoma City sold 5,800 head on Monday. Compared to the sale held two weeks earlier, feeder steers and steer calves sold $15-25 higher. Feeder heifers sold $10-15 higher, and heifer calves sold $15-20 higher. Benchmark steers averaging 737 lbs. sold from $343-377, averaging $352.04.
South Dakota: Sioux Falls Regional in Worthing sold 1,205 head on Monday. Compared to the sale held two weeks earlier, there were too few comparable offerings for a market comparison, but higher undertones were noted. Benchmark steers averaging 734 lbs. sold from $363-369, averaging $365.23. — Anna Miller Fortozo, WLJ managing editor
