U.S. livestock: Cattle futures end lower on profit-taking, technicals and flat cash prices

Chicago | Reuters—Chicago Mercantile Alternate cattle futures fell for a 3rd consecutive day on Thursday in profit-taking and technical promoting setback following latest highs and amid some weaker-than-expected money market gross sales this week.

Elevated beef costs, tight cattle provides and worthwhile packer margins, nonetheless, restricted losses, analysts stated.

Rising beef values have supported cattle futures for months, and merchants now are assessing whether or not excessive costs may start weighing on beef demand on the finish of the summer season out of doors grilling season.

The U.S. Division of Agriculture stated the wholesale selection boxed beef worth fell $1.80 per hundredweight on Thursday to $414.21 per cwt, down from the prior day’s excessive that was the loftiest since Might 2020. The choose cutout gained 4 cents to $387.77 per cwt.

Prairie Wheat Weekly: Wheat bids pressured on multiple fronts

Western Canadian wheat bids were mostly lower during the week ended Sept. 4, 2025 due to weather and potential high yields worldwide.

CME October dwell cattle futures LCV25 ended 1.375 cents decrease at 236.950 cents per pound. Feeder cattle adopted, with the October contract FCV25 ending the day down 2.550 cents at 358.950 cents per pound.

A small variety of cattle traded at $242 per cwt at Southern Plains feedlot markets, regular with final week however beneath early-week expectations for barely firmer values, merchants stated.

Beef packer margins rose to $103.45 per head on Thursday, up from $65.25 per week in the past, in response to Denver-based livestock advertising and marketing advisory service HedgersEdge.

CME lean hog futures firmed on Thursday for the eighth time in 9 classes, supported by the low cost of spot futures to the money hog index.

October futures LHV25 ended 1.200 cents larger at 95.025 cents per pound.