Live cattle futures settled the Wednesday session with gains ranging from 20 to 35 cents. Preliminary open interest rose by 1,887 contracts on Wednesday. Additionally, 7 of the previous 10 deliveries were retendered against October live cattle for Amarillo.
Cash trade has yet to be reported this week, as the Wednesday Fed Cattle Exchange saw no bids or sales on the 1,172 head offered.
Feeder cattle futures recovered from midday lows to close the session with losses between 20 and 65 cents. The CME Feeder Cattle Index increased by another $1.45 to $374.47 on October 14.
USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in the Wednesday afternoon report, with the Choice/Select spread at $17.32. Choice boxes were up $2.06 to $366.48, while Select boxes were down $1.39 to $349.16.
USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter for Wednesday was estimated at 122,000 head, bringing the weekly total to 348,000. This figure is 13,000 head above last week but 21,193 head below the same week last year.
**Live Cattle Futures Closing Prices:**
– October 2025 Live Cattle closed at $242.175, up $0.350
– December 2025 Live Cattle closed at $246.775, up $0.275
– February 2026 Live Cattle closed at $248.750, up $0.225
**Feeder Cattle Futures Closing Prices:**
– October 2025 Feeder Cattle closed at $379.725, down $0.450
– November 2025 Feeder Cattle closed at $380.675, down $0.650
– January 2026 Feeder Cattle closed at $377.850, down $0.200
As of the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have, either directly or indirectly, positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data provided herein are solely for informational purposes.
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*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.*
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/cattle-look-thursday-following-weaker-wednesday-action