Live Cattle Futures Slip as Boxed Beef Prices Decline
Live Cattle Futures (CME:LE1!) dropped during Tuesday trading, with contracts sliding between 22 cents and $1.00. February 2027 contracts led the decline, closing down $1.00 at $228.575, while December 2026 contracts fell 22.5 cents to $226.375. Feeder cattle futures also moved mostly lower, dipping between 20 cents and $1.05, though January 2027 contracts gained a dime to end at $335.850.
The market pullbacks coincided with weakness in wholesale beef prices. Choice boxed beef prices decreased 41 cents to $375.15, while Select boxes dropped 46 cents to $353.67. Meanwhile, federally inspected cattle slaughter reached 110,000 head on Tuesday, bringing the weekly total to 216,000 head. Although weekly processing volume rose by 4,000 head compared to the previous week, it remained 10,636 head lower than the same period last year.
Traders are looking ahead to midweek cash market activity after a quiet start to the week. Previous cash trades were established at $222 to $223 live and $345 dressed in the North, with southern action around $226. Market participants are also monitoring pasture conditions after government ratings showed good-to-excellent conditions slipped 1 percentage point to 22%.
Key points
- Live cattle futures fell between 22 cents and $1.00 on Tuesday, with December contracts ending at $226.375.
- Wholesale Choice boxed beef fell 41 cents to $375.15, and Select boxes dropped 46 cents to $353.67.
- Tuesday's estimated cattle slaughter reached 110,000 head, remaining 10,636 head below last year's level.
- U.S. pasture ratings in good-to-excellent condition declined 1 percentage point week-over-week to 22%.
Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web. It can contain mistakes: check the facts before acting on them. Write-ups powered by the free AI API at FreeTheAI.org
How we writeDisclaimerQuestions and answers
Why did live cattle futures fall on Tuesday?
Live cattle futures declined due to weaker wholesale boxed beef prices, with Choice boxes falling 41 cents to $375.15 and Select dropping 46 cents to $353.67, alongside lower year-over-year slaughter rates.
What are the latest wholesale boxed beef prices?
Choice boxed beef dropped 41 cents to $375.15, while Select boxed beef fell 46 cents to $353.67.
What is the current U.S. pasture condition rating?
U.S. pasture ratings slipped 1 percentage point to 22% in good-to-excellent condition.