Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael


Cattle Current Podcast—Feb. 17, 2025

February 16, 2025

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill in the Southern Plains through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. In the North, trade ranged from slow on moderate demand in the western Corn Belt to moderate on moderate demand in Nebraska.


For the week, FOB live prices were $203/cwt., which was $3 lower in the Southern Plains, $5 lower in Nebraska and $2-$5 lower in the western Corn Belt.


Dressed delivered prices were $7-$8 lower in Nebraska at $320-$321. The previous week, dressed delivered prices were $328 in the western Corn Belt.


Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.70 lower Friday afternoon at $314.70/cwt. Select was $2.70 lower at $307.14. Week to week on Friday, Choice was $7.17 lower and Select was $5.76 lower.


Cattle futures closed lower Friday as wholesale beef valued moved seasonally lower, cash fed cattle prices lost ground and funds likely exited more positions.


Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.46 lower. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.24 lower.


Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures were an average of $1.92 lower through the front four contracts to an average of 47¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of 1.72 higher.


Wheat led grain and Soybean futures higher Friday with likely short covering by funds.


Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures closed 20¢ to 23¢ higher through Mar ’26 and then 13¢ to 19¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 5¢ to 6¢ higher.