Thursday markets
Anticipation of higher cash trade propelled cattle futures higher to close the holiday-shortened week.
Live cattle futures continue their ascent, with the April contract up $2.75 to $209.82 and the June contract up $2 to $204.07.
Cash trade was moderate, with 12,960 head sold. Live steers sold for $208-212, and dressed steers sold between $332-335.
“Sales in Texas and Kansas were mainly $210,” the Cattle Report noted. “A few dressed sales in the North are noted at $335 or $7 higher than last week. Live prices in the North are at $212-213.”
Today’s slaughter is estimated to be 120,000 head, 6,000 head above the prior week.
Actual slaughter for the week ending April 5 was 586,034 head. The average steer dressed weight was 949 lbs., 5 lbs. above a week earlier.
Boxed beef prices were mixed on 143 loads, with the Choice cutout down 63 cents to $332.90 and the Select cutout up $2 to $316.39.
Beef net sales of 17,500 metric tons (mt) for 2025 were up 47% from the previous week and 78% from the prior 4-week average. The three largest buyers were Japan (7,700 mt), South Korea (3,700 mt) and Mexico (2,100 mt).
Feeder cattle
Feeder cattle futures were also triple digits higher, with the April contract up $3.40 to $293.35 and the May contract up $2.45 to $286.85.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 4 cents to $288.03.
Kansas: Winter Livestock in Dodge City sold 2,580 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, feeder steers over 500 lbs. sold $5-12 higher, while heifers over 550 lbs. sold steady to $5-10 higher. Steers under 500 lbs. and heifers under 550 lbs. were not well tested. Benchmark steers averaging 773 lbs. sold for $279-297, averaging $292.60.
New Mexico: Clovis Livestock in Clovis sold 1,201 head on Wednesday. Compared to the previous auction, steer calves 350-600 lbs. sold $12-18 higher, while feeder steers were steady to $3 lower. Heifer calves 400-600 lbs. sold $18-30 higher and feeder heifers were sharply higher. Benchmark steers averaging 727 lbs. sold for $281-295, averaging $287.95.
Oklahoma: OKC West in El Reno sold 5,970 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, feeder steers and heifers sold $7-12 higher, with instances of up to $20 higher. Steer and heifer calves sold $20 higher than last week’s lighter test. Benchmark steers averaging 780 lbs. sold for $287-302.50, averaging $296.56. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
