U.S. livestock: 'Cattle on feed' report supports prices

Chicago cattle futures rose because the USDA’s ‘Cattle on Feed’ report confirmed inventories two per cent down from a yr in the past.

Most-active April dwell cattle futures gained 1.850 cents to shut at 230.000 cents a pound. June contracts settled at 223.825 cents per pound, up 1.725 cents.

Most-active March feeder cattle futures gained 4.800 cents to settle at 329.925 cents a pound. January contracts gained 5.325 cents to shut 346.150 cents a pound.

Huge crops in South America says analyst

Although there’s a debate over the size of the South American soybean crop, there’s little doubt that it will be an enormous one, said consultant Michael Cordonnier of Soybean and Corn Advisor in Hinsdale, Ill.

Selection boxed beef was valued at $361.63 per cwt on Friday afternoon, up $4.35. Choose beef rose by $2.05 to $346.02 per cwt.

The Dec. 19 Cattle on Feed report numbered cattle and calves on feed at 11.7 million head as of Dec. 1, down two per cent from the identical month in 2024. November feedlot placements had been 11 per cent under 2024.

“Placements had been the bottom for November for the reason that collection started in 1996,” the report mentioned.

Marketings of fed cattle had been 12 per cent under 2024 and the second-lowest for the reason that collection started in 1996.

Hog futures additionally rose. Most-active February lean hogs gained 0.375 cents to shut at 84.700 cents a pound. April contracts settled at 89.250 cents per pound, up 0.175 cents.

Pork carcass cutout worth sat at $99.76 per cwt, up $2.33 on Friday afternoon, the USDA reported.