# Live Cattle Futures Slip as Wholesale Boxed Beef Prices Decline

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/live-cattle-futures-slip-as-wholesale-boxed-beef-prices-decline-f92352
- Published: 2026-10-13T22:15:51Z
- Category: commodities; sentiment: bearish; impact: low
- Symbols: [CME:LE1!](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/CME-LE1!)
- Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web for FreeTheAI Stocks, built by Vibhek Soni
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U.S. livestock markets saw downward pressure as Live Cattle Futures (CME:LE1!) fell on Tuesday, with active contracts shedding between 22 cents and $1.00. Most feeder cattle contracts also posted losses ranging from 20 cents to $1.05, although January 2027 futures bucked the trend with a 10-cent gain. The decline in futures coincided with weakening wholesale beef prices and subdued cash cattle trading.

Wholesale boxed beef values pulled back in afternoon trading, with Choice cutouts dropping 41 cents to $375.15 and Select cutouts falling 46 cents to $353.67. Physical cash trade remained quiet following last week's activity, which saw Northern live trades at $222 to $223 and Southern deals around $226. Processing figures showed Tuesday slaughter at an estimated 110,000 head, bringing week-to-date slaughter to 216,000 head—up slightly from the prior week but down more than 10,000 head from the same period last year.

Traders continue to monitor pasture quality and feeder availability. The latest national crop progress figures showed pasture ratings falling 1 percentage point to 22% good to excellent. Meanwhile, the feeder cattle index rose $2.85 to $341.47, indicating underlying strength in young cattle prices despite the pullback in deferred futures.

## Key points

- Most live cattle futures contracts declined on Tuesday, dropping between 22 cents and $1.00.
- Wholesale Choice boxed beef fell 41 cents to $375.15, while Select cutout dropped 46 cents to $353.67.
- Daily federally inspected cattle slaughter reached 110,000 head, down 10,636 head from the same week last year.
- U.S. pasture ratings slipped 1% week-over-week to 22% good to excellent.

## Questions and answers

### Why did live cattle futures fall on Tuesday?

Live cattle futures declined alongside lower wholesale boxed beef prices and quiet cash market trade. Choice boxed beef fell 41 cents to $375.15 and Select dropped 46 cents to $353.67.

### What was Tuesday's federally inspected cattle slaughter volume?

Federally inspected cattle slaughter for Tuesday was estimated at 110,000 head. Week-to-date slaughter reached 216,000 head, which is up 4,000 head from the previous week but 10,636 head lower than the same week last year.

### What is the current U.S. pasture condition rating?

National crop progress figures showed U.S. pasture conditions rated at 22% good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from the previous week.