The cattle markets will have a normal Friday open, with the close set for 12:05 CST. Live cattle futures were $4 to $5.70 higher on the Wednesday session. Preliminary open interest suggested a rotation of ownership, up just 756 contracts. There have been some light cash trade picked up in the north this week at $208-210, with dressed trade at $330. Wednesday’s Fed cattle online exchange saw $216 BidTheGrid™ sales on 95 the 2,052 head offered, with other bids of $211 to $212. Feeder cattle futures posted Wednesday gains of $8 to $8.30 in rally back mode ahead of the holiday. OI was down 323 contracts on Wednesday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down $2.09 to $331.97 on November 25. 

USDA reported Wholesale Boxed Beef prices lower in the Wednesday PM report, with the Chc/Sel spread narrowing to $12.77. Choice boxes were down $1.81 to $368.28, while Select was 42 cents lower at $355.51. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday was estimated at 124,000 head, with the week to date total at 369,000. That 12,000 head above last week but 2,509 head below the same week last year. 

Dec 25 Live Cattle  closed at $211.025, up $4.025,

Feb 26 Live Cattle  closed at $212.925, up $5.600,

Apr 26 Live Cattle  closed at $214.250, up $5.675,

Jan 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $315.125, up $8.050,

Mar 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $309.050, up $8.175,

Apr 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $307.700, up $8.300,

More news from Barchart

• Cattle and Lean Hog Bears Rule the Roost. What to Watch Next on the Farm.
• How Low Can Cattle Go?
• Cattle Prices Are Tipping Higher. How to Trade the Rebound Now.
• Barchart Experts Weigh In: Everything You Need to Know as Cattle Collapses