Cash fed cattle traded moderately active in the North from $155 to $159 per cwt., with the bulk sold at $156 per cwt. live and $245 to $249 per cwt. dressed. Trade in the South was called light to moderate at $155 per cwt., mostly $1 lower than last week. Cash prices remain near the 7 ½ year high.
Feeder cattle sold mixed from $3 lower to $2 higher. Calves also sold mixed at $2 lower to $3 higher.
At the CME, February live cattle rose 92.5 cents on Friday to $155.775, up 22.5 cents for the week. January feeder cattle futures rose 72.5 cents to $183.775, down 15 cents for the week.Live cattle posted a modest weekly gain amid support from a continued strong cash market.
Estimated weekly cattle slaughter was 629,000 head, down 28,000 head from the previous week. The year-to-date slaughter was estimated at 32.58 million head, up 1.3% from 2021.
Wholesale beef prices traded sharply higher. Choice boxed beef closed Friday at $262.83 per cwt., $13.90 higher. Select closed at $235.45 per cwt., up $14.19 per cwt.
