Today’s Livestock Market Update

Some light cash cattle trade developed in both regions, but more business will still need to take place on Friday if packers don’t want to be short bought.

LIVE CATTLE:

After the last couple of weeks, the live cattle complex was somewhat joyful to have a mundane, mildly supportive day after having plummeted in days past. The live cattle contracts saw only mild support from traders, but after multiple days on end when prices were crashing, modest day-over-day support is a blessing, the market noted today. December live cattle closed $0.20 higher at $231.10, February live cattle closed $0.05 higher at $229.50 and April live cattle closed $0.07 lower at $228.70. Some light cash cattle trade did develop throughout the day, but its volume was limited and could mean that prices could still vary on Friday. However, some live deals were noted at $235, which is $3.00 to $4.00 lower than last week’s weighted average. And some more cattle traded in the North at $360, which is steady with the week’s business, but still $9.00 lower than last week’s weighted average

Thursday’s slaughter is estimated at 114,000 head, 5,000 head less than a week ago and 6,000 head less than a year ago.

Boxed beef prices closed lower: choice down $3.11 ($378.27) and select down $2.27 ($359.52) with a movement of 102 loads (62.95 loads of choice, 20.60 loads of select, 8.26 loads of trim and 9.72 loads of ground beef).

FRIDAY’S CATTLE CALL:

Steady. Given that trade has now developed in both regions, it’s likely that prices will stay steady with the week’s trend.

FEEDER CATTLE:

Aside from its nearby contracts, the feeder cattle complex again closed higher as the market was simply relieved to have no new headlines crater the market today. November feeders closed $0.25 lower at $341.82, January feeders closed $0.20 higher at $334.22 and March feeders closed $0.67 higher at $329.22. Even though today’s close was slightly lower in the spot November contract, the contract is still trading above its 100-day moving average. At the R Livestock Auction in Monroe, Utah, compared to last week, feeder cattle sold sharply lower, and so did calves and yearlings. Slaughter cows sold $4.00 to $5.00 lower, and slaughter bulls traded $8.00 to $10.00 cheaper. Feeder cattle supply over 600 pounds was 24%. The CME feeder cattle index 10/29/2025: down $4.62, $352.00.