Live cattle and feeder cattle futures are declining, with live cattle down between $0.90 and $1.05 and feeder cattle falling $2.15 to $2.35. This decline comes amid slow cash trade this week and no sales at the Fed Cattle Exchange online auction, despite bids ranging from $215-220. While boxed beef prices are up, Tuesday's federally inspected cattle slaughter was down 10,121 head compared to the same holiday week last year.
Live cattle futures are experiencing downward pressure, with contracts for June, August, and October 2025 showing losses ranging from $0.90 to $1.05. This weakness is mirrored in the feeder cattle market, where futures are down $2.15 to $2.35. The lackluster price action coincides with slow cash trade activity this week; notably, the Fed Cattle Exchange online auction on Wednesday registered no sales on 1,546 head offered, despite bids between $215 and $220. In contrast to the futures market, the USDA’s National Wholesale Boxed Beef report indicated strength, with Choice boxes increasing $2.92 to $364.77 and Select boxes up $0.12 to $350.95, widening the Choice/Select spread to $13.82. However, physical market supply appears constrained, as Tuesday's federally inspected cattle slaughter was 114,000 head, contributing to a weekly total of 116,000 head, which is 10,121 head lower than the comparable holiday week last year. The CME Feeder Cattle Index also saw a slight decline of 16 cents to $296.09 as of May 26. The overall market sentiment is moderately negative, reflecting the futures' decline despite positive signals from boxed beef prices.
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moderately negative
Sentiment Score
-0.45
Ticker Sentiment
