Cattle futures climbed again on Friday as USDA data showed a continued decline in cattle on feed.
Most-active October live cattle futures settled at 237.875 cents a pound, up 3.150 cents. December live cattle closed at 239.150 cents per pound, up 2.750 cents.
Most-traded October feeder cattle contracts closed at 362.500 cents a pound, up 4.400 cents. September feeders closed at 362.675 cents per pound, up 4.650 cents.
Choice boxed beef gained five cents to end the day at $407.91 per cwt. Select boxed beef was valued at $383.66 per cwt, up $0.06.
Cattle and calves on feed in the U.S. totaled 10.9 million head as of August 1, down two per cent from a year prior according to the USDA’s August Cattle on Feed report. Placements in feedlots numbered 1.60 million head, six per cent below 2024.
Most-active October lean hog contracts closed at 91.200 cents a pound, up 1.275 cents. December lean hogs settled at 84.375 cents per pound, up 1.275 cents.
Pork carcass cutout value ended the day at $112.96 per cwt, up $0.36 according to the USDA’s afternoon report.
