The livestock complex closed mixed as the cattle contracts again inched higher as traders continue to believe in the market’s strong fundamental trajectory, but the lean hog complex didn’t see that same level of support.
LIVE CATTLE:
It was another grandiose day for the live cattle complex as the market closed higher, fueled by the hope and the assumption that fed cash cattle prices will again trade higher this week. There have only been a few sales reported in Nebraska at this point, ranging anywhere from $372 to $372.50, but not enough cattle have traded to say that any sort of accurate trend has been established for the week. But with supplies limited and packers short bought, the different players in the market have all but agreed that prices will be higher, but the real question remains: how much higher? Asking prices remain firm at $240 in the South and at $380 in the North. December live cattle closed $1.10 higher at $247.87, February live cattle closed $0.80 higher at $249.55 and April live cattle closed $0.67 higher at $250.25. Thursday’s slaughter is estimated at 118,000 head, 7,000 head more than a week ago and 1,000 head more than a year ago.
Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $0.37 ($366.11) and select down $0.23 ($348.93) with a movement of 99 loads (63.45 loads of choice, 17.08 loads of select, 5.85 loads of trim and 12.19 loads of ground beef).
FRIDAY’S CATTLE CALL:
Higher. With supplies short and boxed beef prices seeing better demand, prices will likely be higher again this week.
FEEDER CATTLE:
The feeder cattle complex was again able to round out the day higher as traders continue to point to one thing — limited supply — and let the rest of the market’s noise and chaos simmer in the background. November feeders closed $0.27 higher at $380.95, January feeders closed $0.70 higher at $378.55 and March feeders closed $1.10 higher at $376.70. The CME feeder cattle index 10/15/2025: up $0.63, $375.10.
What are cattle Packer margins currently?