Cattle Firm While Awaiting Cash Trade to Develop

Live cattle futures were 30 to 45 cents higher at the close. Feeder cattle closed another 60 to 82 cents higher. The 11/30 CME Feeder Cattle Index was $140.30, up another $1.41. The FCE online cattle auction has 1,025 head listed. Cash trade for the week has been limited to some $107 - $110 in NE and WCB. Wholesale boxed beef prices were mixed again in the PM report, tightening the Choice/Select spread to $20.32. Choice boxes were 28 cents weaker, and Select was up $0.65. USDA estimated weekly FI cattle slaughter for Tuesday at 122,000 head. WTD slaughter is 241k head, down 1,000 yr/yr and even with last year.  

--- provided by Brugler Marketing & Management