Cattle futures gained Thursday with likely positioning ahead of Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report. Export sales also provided support.

Net U.S. beef export sales for the week ending April 11 were 17,700 metric tons for 2024, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report. That was 30% more than the previous week and 27% more than the prior four-week average. Increases were primarily for South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and Mexico.

At the close and before final settlement, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.46 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $1.65 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, FOB live prices were $182/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $184 in Nebraska and $185 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed delivered prices were $293.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.01 lower Thursday afternoon at $295.80/cwt. Select was $1.61 lower at $289.27/cwt.

Turning to row crops before the close, Corn futures mostly 4¢ lower. Kansas City Wheat futures were 4¢ to 5¢ higher through Jly ’25. Soybean futures were 10¢ to 16¢ lower through Jly ’25.