Live cattle futures were $2.45 to $4.125 higher at the Thursday close. Cash trade has picked up in the north this week at $345-350 dressed, steady on the week, with early live sales at $218. Some bids across the country were picked up at $219-220 on Thursday. The Thursday Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed $343 dressed sales on 80 head, with a few bids of $218-219 on other lots. Feeder cattle futures were rallying on the session, with contracts $5.65 to $6.95. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was back down 91 cents on September 2 to $328.27.

Export Sales data from USDA showed beef sales for 2026 at just 12,937 MT for the week ending on 8/27. That was a 3-week high. South Korea was the buyer of 4,700 MT, with 1,700 MT sold to Hong Kong. Shipments were tallied at 12,026 MT, which was back up from last week. The top destination was South Korea at 3,400 MT, with 3,000 headed to Japan. 

Beef exports in July were tallied at 198.95 million lbs according to Census data converted to a carcass basis. That was the lowest July total since 2009.

Wholesale Boxed Beef prices continued lower in the Thursday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel widening to $26.18. Choice boxes were down $1.88 at $376.90, with Select $2.86 lower to $350.72. USDA estimated the Wednesday Federally inspected cattle slaughter at 105,000 head, with the weekly total at 412,000 head. That is down 3,000 head from the previous week.

Oct 26 Live Cattle  closed at $214.300, up $4.125,

Dec 26 Live Cattle  closed at $216.125, up $4.100,

Feb 27 Live Cattle  closed at $217.725, up $3.725,

Sep 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $325.850, up $6.875,

Oct 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $321.100, up $6.725,

Nov 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $315.300, up $6.950,