Live cattle futures rounded out the Tuesday session with contracts up 35 cents to $1.30 to close out 2024. Cash trade has yet to kick off this week, as last week’s sales were reported at $192-193 in the South, up $1-2, and $196-197 in the North, $1-2 higher. Feeder cattle futures posted $1.40 to $2.27 gains on Tuesday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back up $7.08 from the day prior at $261.05 on December 30. 

USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were back lower in the Tuesday afternoon report. Choice boxes were down $1.15 at $324.22/cwt and Select 24 cents lower @ $294.52. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 102,000 head on Tuesday, taking the weekly total to 225,000 head. That is up 71,000 head from last week and well above the same week last year.  

Dec 24 Live Cattle  closed at $193.850, down $0.225,

Feb 25 Live Cattle  closed at $191.600, up $1.300,

Apr 25 Live Cattle  closed at $194.275, up $1.250,

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $263.025, up $1.400,

Mar 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $262.975, up $1.925,

Apr 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $263.550, up $2.275,