Fed Cattle Higher, Feeder Cattle Uneven
Cash fed cattle saw a light trade at $128 per cwt. across all regions on Friday, $2 higher. Cattle sold on a dressed basis at $205. A few trades were reported at $129 cash, and up to $208 dressed in the north. While prices were higher, feedyards had priced cattle at $130 throughout the week.
Beef cutout prices continued to rally, with the Choice ending Friday at $221.29, up nearly $5 per cwt. from the previous week. Select beef closed Friday at $216.79. The Choice-Select spread was $4.50.
Feeder steers and heifers sold at auction last week uneven, $2 lower to $1 higher in the North and South Central regions, according to AMS reporters. Cattle at Southeastern auctions sold $3 to $7 higher.
Southeastern grazing calves were found in high demand with ranchers anticipating spring turn-out. Demand from Central Plains ranchers was diminished due to continued cold weather and more winter storms on the way.
