Live cattle futures are reverting lower at midday, with contracts down 10 to 20 cents and nearby Dec up 22 cents on cash strength. Early cash action has seen $191 trade reported in KS this week, some $193 sales in NE reported on Wednesday and bids of $195 in the north being reported today. This morning’s Central Stockyards Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed $192 live sales on 2 of the 4 lots. There were no deliveries issued against December live cattle again on Wednesday. Feeder cattle are trading with 37 to 77 cent gains. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 16 cents from the day prior at $261.46 on December 10. 

This morning’s Export Sales report indicated 10,989 MT of 2024 beef was sold in the week ending on 12/5, with 5,409 MT sold for 2025. The combined sales were a 3-week high and 4.57% larger than the same time last year. Japan was the buyer of 6,400 MT in total, with South Korea in for 4,900 MT. Shipments were tallied at 15,065 MT, in that week, which was also the highest in 3 weeks. South Korea was the top destination of 4,500 MT, with 2,900 MT shopped to Japan. 

USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Thursday AM report. Choice boxes were up $4.16 to $315.39/cwt, with Select $1.93 higher @ $280.04. USDA estimated Wednesday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 125,000 head, taking the WTD total to 364,000 head. That is 3,000 head below the previous week and down 14,814 from the same week last year. 

Dec 24 Live Cattle  are at $192.475, up $0.225,

Feb 25 Live Cattle  are at $191.175, down $0.200,

Apr 25 Live Cattle  are at $192.500, down $0.125,

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle  are at $258.675, down $0.375

Mar 25 Feeder Cattle  are at $258.800, down $0.575

Apr 25 Feeder Cattle  are at $259.400, down $0.775