Live cattle futures continued the rally on Wednesday with gains of $1.125 to $2.40. Early cash action has seen $191 trade reported in KS this week, some $193 sales in NE reported on Wednesday. Wednesday morning’s Central Stockyards Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed $192-193 sales on 2 lots using the BidTheGrid™ method and $192 live sales for one lot. There were no deliveries issued against December live cattle again on Wednesday. Feeder cattle posted $1.15 to $1.92 gains at the close. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 16 cents from the day prior at $261.46 on December 10. 

USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Wednesday PM report. Choice boxes were down 50 cents to $311.23/cwt, with Select $1.54 lower @ $278.11. 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  closed at $192.250, up $2.400,

Feb 25 Live Cattle  closed at $191.375, up $2.350,

Apr 25 Live Cattle  closed at $192.625, up $1.975,

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $259.050, up $1.725,

Mar 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $259.375, up $1.925,

Apr 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $260.175, up $1.825,