Markets: Winter Rally Sputters, Cash Cattle Lower
For the first time in more than a month, cash cattle prices ended the week lower. Cattle in the North saw moderate trade at $179 to $180 per cwt. live, $1 to $2 lower, and $287 per cwt. dressed, $2 lower than the previous week. An active trade in the South was recorded at $180 per cwt. live, $2 lower than the previous week.
Feeder cattle traded mixed at $2 lower to $5 higher. Calves traded steady to $6 per cwt. higher. Market cows sold mixed at $2 lower to $3 higher.
April live cattle futures rose $1.95 on Friday to $187.55, nearer the session high and hit a 3.5-month high. For the week, April live cattle gained 87 1/2 cents. March feeder cattle futures gained $2.925 on Friday to $251.025, nearer the daily high, hit a four-month high and on the week rose $3.875.
