Live cattle futures are back down $1.30 to $1.45 across most front months on Monday. Cash trade has been quiet so far this week, with a few $229 sales reported early in KS, steady to $1 higher than last week. The Tuesday Fed Cattle Exchange showed no sales on the 1,734 head offered, with bids at $225-227.50. Feeder cattle futures are trading with $1.77 to $2.57 at midday. CME’s Feeder Cattle Index was up another 73 cents to $351.91 on December 19.

Export Sales data showed 8,776 MT of beef sold in the week ending on 12/11, back down from the week prior. Export Shipments were 14,930 MT in that week, a 3-week high.

USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were higher in the Tuesday morning report, with the Chc/Sel spread narrowing to $7.96. Choice boxes were down $3.04 to $359.83, while Select was $1.18 higher at $351.87. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 121,000 head for Monday. That was 11,000 head above last Monday and 1,604 head larger than the same week last year. 

Dec 25 Live Cattle  are at $229.425, down $1.300,

Feb 26 Live Cattle  are at $230.000, down $1.425,

Apr 26 Live Cattle  are at $229.775, down $1.300,

Jan 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $343.925, down $2.575

Mar 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $338.475, down $2.025

Apr 26 Feeder Cattle  are at $337.225, down $1.775

More news from Barchart

• How Much Higher Will Cattle Prices Go?
• Cattle Prices Are Climbing Higher. Here’s 1 Way to Trade the Trend.
• Here Are the Levels to Watch as Cattle Prices Keep Moving Higher
• Cattle and Hog Prices Have Bottomed Out. Now Get Ready for Upside.