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Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited to mostly inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week, live prices were steady in the Texas Panhandle at $120/cwt., steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $123-$124, unevenly steady in Colorado at $122 and $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at $122-$124. Dressed prices were $1 higher in Nebraska at $196; steady to $1 lower at $194-$196 in the western Corn Belt. Cattle futures closed lower again Friday, although the pace of decline was less than in recent sessions. Besides feed costs and sluggish cash price progress, there’s also concern about the recently slower slaughter pace and the potential to back up some cattle. Estimated total cattle slaughter the week ending April 16 was 640,000 head, according to USDA. That was 1,000 head fewer than the previous week. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 9.64 million head, is 35,000 head fewer (-0.36%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 8.06 billion lbs. is 74.9 million lbs. more (+0.94%) than the same time last year. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 61¢ lower, except for 10¢ higher in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average 73¢ lower (30¢ to $1.00 lower). Choice boxed beef cutout value was 57¢ lower on Friday at $276.05/cwt. Select was 67¢ higher at $269.10. Corn futures closed 1¢ to 4¢ lower through the front three contracts, and then mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 15¢ higher through the front four contracts, and then mostly 3¢ to 6¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light demand in the Texas Panhandle through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices were steady with last week at $120/cwt. Elsewhere, trade was slow with moderate demand. Live prices were steady to $1 higher in Kansas at $120-$121 and steady to $3 higher in Nebraska at $123-$126. Dressed trade was steady to $1 higher at $196. Live trade was at $120-$123 in Colorado last week; $123-$125 in the western Corn Belt. Cattle futures closed lower again Thursday, pressured by feed costs, disappointing early cash fed cattle prices and limit down moves in Lean Hog futures. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 57¢ lower.  Feeder Cattle futures closed an average $1.04 lower. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.71 higher Thursday afternoon at $276.62/cwt. Select was $1.12 higher at $268.43. The average dressed steer weight was 894 lbs., the week ending April 3, according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. That was 5 lbs. lighter than the previous week but 5 lbs. heavier than the prior year. The average dressed heifer weight of 832 lbs. was 2 lbs. heavier than the prior week and 7 lbs. heavier than the previous year. Net U.S. beef export sales of 15,700 metric tons (MT) were 14% less than the prior week and 23% less than the previous four-week average, according to the U.S. Export Sales report for the week ending April 8. Increases were primarily for Japan , China, South Korea and Mexico. Corn futures closed mixed, mostly 1¢ higher to 2¢ lower. Net U.S. corn export sales (2020-21) of 327,700 mt were down 57% from the previous week and 81% from the prior four-week average. Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 9¢ higher through Aug ‘22, and then mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower, except for 8¢ higher in the back three contracts. Net U.S. soybean export sales (2020-21) of 1,500 mt were a market-year low, down noticeably from the previous week and from the prior four-week average.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade in all major cattle feeding regions ranged from a standstill to mostly inactive on very light demand through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Cattle futures closed lower again Wednesday, but off of session lows. Pressure included the jump in grain prices, lack of cash direction and recently declining open interest. Live Cattle open interest declined 7,303 contracts week to week on Tuesday. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 48¢ lower (15¢ to 87¢ lower).  Feeder Cattle futures closed an average $1.32 lower. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.80 higher Wednesday afternoon at $272.91/cwt. Select was 77¢ higher at $267.31. Grain futures rallied higher Wednesday, fueled by forecast cold weather in the U.S. Corn Belt for the next couple of weeks and continued dryness in South America. Corn futures closed 10¢ to 14¢ higher through the front three contracts and then mostly 5¢ to 6¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 20¢ higher through Jly ‘22, and then mostly 8¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade in all major cattle feeding regions ranged from a standstill to mostly inactive on very light demand through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices last week were at $120/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $120-$123 in Colorado, $123 in Nebraska and $123-$125 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $195-$196. Cattle futures closed Lower Tuesday, especially Feeder Cattle, challenged by technical correction and the relentless march higher of corn prices. As well, wholesale beef values stalled the last couple of days. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ lower (15¢ to $1.17 lower).  Feeder Cattle futures closed an average $2.09 lower. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.30 lower Tuesday afternoon at $270.11/cwt. Select was 38¢ higher at $266.54. Corn futures closed 10¢ to 11¢ higher through the front three contracts and then mostly 4¢ to 7¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 7¢ higher across the front half of the board, and then fractionally lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices last week were $3 higher in the Southern Plains at $120, mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mostly $123, $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $123-$125 and at $120-$123 in Colorado, where there was no established market the previous week. Dressed prices were $5 higher in Nebraska at $195 and $6-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $195-$196. Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed on Monday, firming after the profit-taking selloff that ended last week. Lower front-month Corn futures prices added support. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 31¢ lower, except for an average of 9¢ higher in three contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ higher, except for 25¢ lower in spot Apr. Choice boxed beef cutout value was 76¢ lower Monday afternoon at $271.41/cwt. Select was $2.09 higher at $266.16. Corn futures closed 3¢ to 8¢ lower through the front three contracts and then mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 21¢ lower through the front six contracts, and then mostly 5¢ to 9¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from a standstill to limited on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend there were some trades in the western Corn Belt at $125/cwt. on a live basis and at $196 in the beef. In established trade for the week, live prices were $3 higher in the Southern Plains at $120, $5-$7 higher in Nebraska at $125, $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $123-$125 and $4-$7 higher in Colorado (compared to two weeks earlier) at $120-$123. Dressed prices were $5-$7 higher at $195. Week to week on Thursday, the five-area direct average steer prices was $4.42 higher at $121.87. The average dressed steer price was $195.21, which was $6.53 higher. Cattle futures closed lower Friday, amid active trade and likely profit taking from the strong week-to-week gains. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.10 lower (22¢ to $2.45 lower), except for 62¢ higher in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.55 lower (80¢ lower toward the back to $2.37 lower in spot Apr), except for 45¢ higher in the back contract. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.67 higher Friday afternoon at $272.17/cwt. Select was 24¢ higher at $264.07. Estimated total cattle slaughter the week ending Apr. 10 was 641,000 head, according to USDA, which was 32,000 head more than the previous week. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 9.0 million head is 184,000 head fewer (-2.0%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.54 billion lbs. is 54.2 million lbs. less (-0.7%) than a year earlier. Grain futures were mixed Friday, reacting to USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher, except for 2¢ lower in spot May. Soybean futures closed 9¢ to 12¢ lower through the front six contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 7¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from a standstill to limited on light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. For the week so far, live prices are $3 higher in the Southern Plains at $120/cwt., $5 higher in Nebraska at $123, $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $121-$125 and $4-$7 higher in Colorado (compared to two weeks earlier) at $120-$123. Dressed trade is $5-$7 higher at $195. Feeder Cattle futures closed mostly slightly lower Thursday, pressured by the surge in Corn futures prices. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 52¢ lower (37¢ to $1.07 lower), except for an average of 42¢ higher in the back two contracts. Live Cattle futures mostly extended gains, with continued support from cash prices and wholesale beef values, as well as expanding open interest.  Live Cattle futures closed an average of 56¢ higher (35¢ to $1.00 higher), except for an average of 17¢ lower in two nearby contracts. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.19 higher Thursday afternoon at $270.50/cwt. Select was $8.64 higher at $263.83. The average dressed steer weight the week ending March 27 was 899 lbs., according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. That was 2 lbs. lighter than the previous week, but 8 lbs. heavier than the same week last year. The average dressed heifer weight of 830 lbs. was 6 lbs. lighter week to week but 5 lbs. heavier than a year earlier. Front-month grain futures closed sharply higher Thursday amid likely positioning ahead of USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates due out Wednesday. Corn futures closed 10¢ to 19¢ higher in the front three contracts, 8¢ to 9¢ higher in the next four and then mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher. Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher, except for 6¢ higher in the front two contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were moderate in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices were $3 higher than last week at $120/cwt. In Nebraska, trade was light on light to moderate demand. Although too few to trend, there were some live sales at $120-$123. Prices there last week were at $118 on a live basis and at $190 in the beef. Also too few to trend, early live prices in Colorado were at $120-$123. The last established market was two weeks ago at $116. Last week, in the western Corn Belt, prices were at $118-$120 on a live basis and at $188-$190 dressed. Cattle feeders offered 4,422 head in Central Stockyards’ weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction. Of those, 3,277 head sold, all from Texas and Nebraska and all on a live weight basis. Steer prices ranged from $122.00 to $122.75/cwt. in Nebraska and from $120.00 to $120.75 in Texas. Heifer prices ranged from $122.00 to $122.75 in Nebraska and from $120.50 to $121.00 in Texas. Cattle futures extended gains Wednesday, supported by higher cash fed cattle prices and the continued increase in wholesale beef values.  Live Cattle futures closed an average of 49¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.11 higher (90¢ to $1.60 higher). Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.54 higher Wednesday afternoon at $266.31/cwt. Select was $3.89 higher at $255.19. Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 10¢ lower through the front four contracts, and then mostly fractionally mixed.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in Nebraska and the Texas Panhandle through Tuesday afternoon. Elsewhere, trade ranged from limited to mostly inactive on light demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Last week, live prices were at $117/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $118 in Nebraska and $118-$120 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were at $190 in Nebraska and at $188-$190 in the western Corn Belt. Cattle futures closed mainly higher Tuesday, buoyed by the bullish rise in wholesale beef values.  Live Cattle futures closed an average of 30¢ higher (5¢ to $1.35 higher), except for 15¢ lower in the back contract Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 99¢ higher (2¢ to $1.55 higher), except for unchanged in May. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.10 higher Tuesday afternoon at $262.77/cwt. Select was $1.44 higher at $251.30. Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ lower, except for 1¢ higher at either end of the board. Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 6¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Last week, live prices were at $117/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $118 in Nebraska and $118-$120 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were at $190 in Nebraska and at $188-$190 in the western Corn Belt. The five-area direct average steer price was $118.08/cwt. last week on a live basis. That was $2.49 more than the prior week. The average five-area direct steer price in the beef was $189.36, which was $4.89 more. Cattle futures closed sharply higher Monday, supported by stronger cash prices, increasing wholesale beef values and higher outside markets. Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.32 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.07 higher, from $1.35 to $2.57 higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.82 higher Monday afternoon at $258.67/cwt. Select was $2.89 higher at $249.86. Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 9¢ higher, except for 6¢ lower in the front two contracts. Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 9¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were moderate in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Friday afternoon. Elsewhere, trade was mostly inactive on light demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). By the end of the week, live prices were $2 higher in the Southern Plains at $117/cwt., $2 higher in Nebraska at mostly $118 (some up to $121) and $3-$4 higher in the western Corn Belt at $119-$120. Dressed trade was $5 higher at $190. Futures markets were closed Friday, in observance of Good Friday. Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, week to week on Thursday. Live Cattle futures closed $1.04 higher, buoyed by escalating wholesale beef values, stronger cash prices and continued strength in Lean Hogs. Choice was boxed beef cutout value $2.88 higher Friday afternoon at $252.85/cwt. Select was $2.27 higher at $246.97. Estimated total cattle slaughter the week ending April 3 was 609,000 head, which was 40,000 head fewer than the previous week, according to USDA. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 8.36 million head is 295,000 head fewer (-3.4%) than the same period last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.00 billion lbs. is 152.7 million lbs. less (-2.1%) than last year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices were $2 higher in Kansas Thursday at $117/cwt., with moderate trade and demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). For the week, some early live sales traded at $118 in Nebraska and the Texas Panhandle, but too few to trend. Live prices last week were at $115 in the Texas Panhandle, $116 in Nebraska and $115-$117 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $185. Cattle futures were mixed Thursday amid likely profit taking and repositioning. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 50¢ lower, except for 35¢ higher in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ higher, except for unchanged and 17¢ lower in the front two contracts.  Wholesale beef prices continue to climb. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.85 higher Thursday afternoon at $249.97/cwt. Select was $6.57 higher at $244.70. The average dressed steer weight for the week ending Mar. 21 was 901 lbs. according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection repot. That was 3 lbs. lighter than the previous week but 3 lbs. heavier than the same week last year. The average dressed heifer weight of 836 lbs. was 4 lbs. heavier than the previous week but even with the prior year. Corn futures closed 4¢ to 7¢ higher in the front five new-crop contracts and then fractionally mixed. The two remaining old-crop contracts close 2¢ to 4¢ lower. Soybean futures closed mixed but mostly 19¢ to 34¢ lower, following the previous session’s limit-up move.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in Nebraska through Wednesday afternoon. Although too few to trend, there were some early live sales at $118/cwt., which was $2 higher than last week. Trade was mostly inactive on light demand in the Southern Plains, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Elsewhere, it was at a standstill. Buyers of Nebraska cattle in Central Stockyards’ weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction also paid $118 for 1,725 head. Overall, cattle feeders offered 4,593 head; 2,038 head sold—all via live weight—for a weighted average price of $117.77. Live Cattle futures gained on the outlook for higher cash prices, as well as ongoing strength in wholesale beef values. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 82¢ higher, except for unchanged in spot Apr. Feeder Cattle futures wilted beneath the weight of resurgent grain futures prices, tied to USDA’s Prospective Plantings report (see below). Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.41 lower.  Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.29 higher Wednesday afternoon at $247.12/cwt. Select was $2.21 higher at $238.13. Grain futures spiked higher Wednesday—especially Corn and Soybeans—based on USDA’s Prospective Plantings report. Producers intend to plant more acres to both crops this year than last, but far fewer than expectations ahead of the report. Corn futures closed mostly 18¢ higher to limit up 25¢. Soybean futures closed 44¢ higher to limit up 70¢.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in the Texas Panhandle through Tuesday afternoon. Although too few to trend, there were some early live sales at $116/cwt. Elsewhere, trade was at a standstill, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Last week, live prices were at $115/cwt. in the Sothern Plains, mostly $116 in the Northern Plains and at $115-$117 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at mostly $185. Feeder Cattle futures edged higher Tuesday, helped along by softer Corn futures. Live Cattle were mixed, taking a breather ahead of cash direction. Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from 42¢ lower to 15¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 48¢ higher, except for 25¢ lower and unchanged in the front two contracts.  Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.30 higher Tuesday afternoon at $244.83/cwt. Select was $3.42 higher at $235.90. Corn futures, and especially Soybean futures, closed lower Tuesday with likely profit taking and positioning ahead of USDA’s Prospective Plantings report due out Wednesday. Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 8¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 22¢ to 27¢ lower through the front four contracts, and then mostly 11¢ to 18¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in the Southern Plains and Northern Plains through Monday afternoon. Elsewhere, it was mostly inactive on very light demand with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Last week, live prices were $1 higher in the Southern Plains at $115/cwt., $2 higher in the Northern Plains at mostly $116 and $1-$2 higher in the western Corn Belt at $115-$117. Dressed trade was $3-$5 higher at $185. The five-area direct average steer price last week was $115.38/cwt. on a live basis, which was $1.14 higher than the previous week. The five-area direct average steer price in the beef was $184.66,which was $2.98 higher. Cattle futures bounced higher Monday, amid active trade, extending last week’s gains, with ongoing support from higher wholesale beef values, last week’s  stronger cash prices and softer Corn futures. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 61¢ higher, except for unchanged and 5¢ lower in the back two contracts. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.28 higher, from 15¢ higher toward the back to $2.32 higher toward the front.  The CME Feeder Cattle Index was $2.10 higher at $138.85. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.87 higher Monday afternoon at $239.53/cwt. Select was $4.73 higher at $232.50. Corn futures closed 2¢ to 5¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ lower, except for 5¢ to 7¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in the Southern Plains through Friday afternoon. Elsewhere, it was limited on light demand with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). For the week, live prices were $1-$2 higher at $115/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $116 in the Northern Plains. Dressed trade was $2-$3 higher in Nebraska at $185. Trade was yet to be established in the western Corn Belt, according to AMS, but various reports suggested trade in the region at as much as $3 higher than the previous week. Cattle futures continued to edge higher Friday, buoyed by the week’s stronger cash prices and wholesale beef values. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 36¢ higher, except for 20¢ lower in the back contract. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 39¢ higher, from 15¢ higher toward the back to 90¢ higher in spot Apr.  Choice boxed beef value was $1.21 higher Friday afternoon at $237.66/cwt. Select was $1.52 higher at $227.77. Estimated total cattle slaughter the week ending Mar. 26 was 646,000 head, according to USDA. That was 19,000 head more than the previous week, but 39,000 head fewer (-5.69%) than the same week a year earlier. Estimated total year-to-date cattle slaughter of 7.75 million head was 278,000 head fewer (-3.46%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 6.50 billion lbs. was 143.1 million lbs. less (-2.15%). Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ higher, except for 3¢ and 6¢ higher at either end of the board. Soybean futures closed 6¢ to 13¢ lower through the front six contracts, and then mostly 2¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade continued through Thursday afternoon, with limited to slow trade on light to moderate demand. For the week, live prices are $1-$2 higher on a live basis at $115/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $115-$116 in Nebraska and $116 in Colorado. Dressed trade in Nebraska is $3-$5 higher at $185. Trade was yet to be established in the western Corn Belt. Cattle futures continued mostly higher Thursday, supported by stronger cash prices and wholesale beef values. Net U.S. beef export sales of 18,900 metric tons for the week ending Mar. 18 were 27% less than the previous week but 3% more than the prior four-week average, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report. Increases were primarily for Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Chile. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 45¢ higher through the front five contracts, and then unchanged to an average of 18¢ lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 98¢ higher, from 37¢ to $1.80 higher.  Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.61 higher Thursday afternoon at $236.45/cwt. Select was $2.18 higher at $226.25. The average dressed steer weight of 904 lbs. was 4 lbs. heavier than the prior week and 3 lbs. heavier than the previous year, according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report for the week ending Mar. 13. The average dressed heifer weight of 832 lbs. was 1 lb. lighter than the previous week and 3 lbs. lighter than the previous year. Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower. Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 18¢ lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was light on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, with live price $1 higher than last week at $115/cwt. Elsewhere, trade was limited on light demand, according the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were a few live trades in Nebraska at $115-$116, but too few to trend. Prices last week were at $114 in the Northern Plains and at $114-$115 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were at $180-$182. Cattle feeders offered 2,633 head in Central Stockyards’ weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction. Of those, 1,550 head sold for an average price of $115.89/cwt., all via live weight. Texas prices were at $115/cwt. and Nebraska prices were at $116, which was $2 higher than last week’s country trade. Choice steers and heifers sold $1.50-$2.50 higher at the fat auction in Tama Iowa. There were 67 Choice 2-4 steers weighing an average of 1,487 lbs., brining an average price of $117.15/cwt. That was $2-$3 higher than country trade in the region last week. At Sioux Falls Regional in South Dakota, though, slaughter steers sold steady to $2 lower and slaughter heifers traded steady to $1 lower. There were 152 Choice 2-3 steers weighing an average of 1,468 lbs., bringing an average of $112.72. Cattle futures closed higher Wednesday, supported by stronger cash prices and softer Corn futures prices. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 59¢ higher, except for unchanged in spot Apr. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.32 higher, from 32¢ higher in waning spot Mar to $2.70 higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was 85¢ higher Wednesday afternoon at $234.84/cwt. Select was $1.16 lower at $224.07. Corn futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 2¢ lower, except for 2¢ and 3¢ higher in the front two contracts. Soybean futures closed mostly 6¢ to 9¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on very light demand in the western Corn Belt through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Elsewhere, it was at a standstill. Last week, prices were at $114/cwt. on a live basis in the Southern Plains and Northern Plains, and at $114-$115 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $180-$182. Cattle futures continued higher Tuesday, supported by rising wholesale beef prices and strength in Lean Hog futures, amid light trade. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ higher, from 10¢ higher at the back to $1.12 higher toward the front. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 39¢ higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.04 higher Tuesday afternoon at $233.99/cwt. Select was $2.18 higher at $225.23. Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 2¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was  at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service, with too few transactions to trend. Last week, prices were at $114/cwt. on a live basis in the Southern Plains and Northern Plains, and at $114-$115 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $180-$182. The average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $114.23/cwt. on a live basis, which was 61¢ more than the prior week. The average steer price in the beef was $181.33, which was $2.01 higher. Cattle futures found some traction Monday amid relatively light trade, following the late-week decline. Support included lower Corn futures, higher outside markets, stronger wholesale beef prices and the neutral Cattle on Feed report. Live Cattle futures closed an average of 40¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 28¢ higher, expect for unchanged in Apr. Choice boxed beef cutout value was 96¢ higher Monday afternoon at $230.95/cwt. Select was $3.10 higher at $223.05. Corn futures closed 5¢ to 8¢ lower in the front three contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower. Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ lower, after 1¢ higher in the front two contracts.