Thursday markets
The cattle complex closed down on lower cash trade.
Live cattle futures closed lower, with the October contract down 10 cents to $227.27, the December contract $1.02 lower to $226.30 and the February contract down $1.02 to $229.47.
Cash trade was moderate, with 7,099 head sold. Live steers sold from $221-226, and dressed steers sold between $348-355. On the formula side, 25,300 head averaging 943 lbs. sold for an average of $366.76.
“There’s only been a light test thus far in the fed cash cattle market, but on Wednesday Northern cattle did trade at $350 to $352—which is $13 to $15 lower than the previous week’s weighted average—but too few of cattle traded to say that any sort of an accurate trend has been established,” ShayLe Stewart, DTN livestock analyst, wrote in her midday comments.
Today’s slaughter is estimated to be 109,000 head, up 6,000 head from last week.
Actual slaughter for the week ending Oct. 17 was 555,342 head. The average steer dressed weight was 994 lbs., up 8 lbs. from the prior week.
“The USDA released actual carcass weight data this morning with steers reaching a new 2026 high of 994 pounds, up 8 pounds from a week ago and up 14 pounds from a year ago,” wrote Cassie Fish, market analyst, in The Beef. “Weights don’t typically top anymore until early December and this data is as of October 17. Plenty of folks expect average steer carcass weights to reach 1,000 pounds in 2026.”
Boxed beef prices closed lower on 101 loads, with the Choice cutout down $1.72 to $367.28 and the Select cutout $3.62 lower to $351.63.
“Boxed beef values made a new low for the move at midday, Choice printing at $367.50/cwt as much of the carcass struggles except for the inelastic rib primal,” Fish wrote. “Grinds continue to decline seasonally. The chuck and the loin have also lost some ground this week.”
Feeder cattle
Feeder cattle futures closed slightly lower, with the October contract down 32 cents to $351.10, the November contract 27 cents lower to $346.47 and the January contract down 15 cents to $341.95.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 33 cents to $351.
Corn futures closed slightly lower, with the December and March contracts down a fraction to $4.51 and $4.64, respectively.
Colorado: La Junta Livestock in La Junta sold 2,363 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, feeder steers sold mostly sharply higher across all weight classes. Feeder heifers under 600 lbs. sold $3-7 higher, with instances of sharply higher. Feeder heifers over 600 lbs. sold unevenly steady. Benchmark steers averaging 735 lbs. sold for $342.50-357.50, averaging $352.46.
Kansas: Winter Livestock in Dodge City sold 1,759 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, steers over 750 lbs. sold steady. Heifers 750-850 lbs. sold steady to $6.50 higher, and over 850 lbs. were not enough for market test. Steer and heifer calves sold steady. A group of steers averaging 685 lbs. sold for $361-382, averaging $378.70.
Nebraska: Huss Livestock in Kearney sold 2,049 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, steer and heifer calves 400-650 lbs. sold steady to $20 higher and yearling feeder steers and heifers over 750 lbs. sold steady to $10 higher. A group of unweaned benchmark steers averaging 743 lbs. sold for $379.
Oklahoma: OKC West in El Reno sold 7,021 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, feeder steers sold $10-15 lower. Steers weighing 700-750 lbs. sold $15 higher on better quality, and several buyers had a tight 7-weight order. Feeder heifers sold steady to $5 higher. Benchmark steers averaging 723 lbs. sold for $360-374, averaging $366.91.
Wyoming: Torrington Livestock in Torrington sold 4,701 head on Wednesday. Compared to the last auction, yearling heifers traded steady to $3 higher, and yearling steers had no test. Steer calves traded $3-7 lower and heifer calves mostly steady to $2 lower. Benchmark steers averaging 756 lbs. sold for $352. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
