Cash cattle prices recorded the best week in what has become a sustained fall rally, sending cattle feeders to their Thanksgiving feast in a thankful spirit.
Cash cattle sold in the North from $157 to $159 live and $245 to $246 per cwt. In the South trade occurred at $154 to $155 per cwt., $2 to $4 higher.
CME cattle futures traded lower on Friday with December down 27 points at $153.07 per cwt., steady with the previous Friday. February closed down 30 points at $155.12 per cwt., and April down 15 at $158.77 per cwt.
Weekly cattle slaughter was estimated at 581,000 head, up 14,000 head from the same week a year ago. The year-to-date total is estimated at 30.63 million head, up 1.6% from 2021.
Wholesale beef prices were lower of Choice and higher on Select for the week. Choice boxed beef closed Friday at $251.83 per cwt., down $3.04 for the week. Select closed Friday at $234.37 per cwt., up $1.54 per cwt. for the week.
