Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle Current Podcast—March 18, 2025
Cattle futures closed higher Monday, supported by last week’s bounce in cash fed cattle prices and stronger wholesale beef values.
Toward the close, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.77 higher. Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $2.74 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.
Last week, FOB live prices were $5-$6 higher in the Southern Plains at $202-$203/cwt. and $4-$6 higher in the North at $206/cwt. Dressed delivered prices were $8-$10 higher in Nebraska at $325 and $5-$10 higher in the western Corn Belt at $325.
The weighted average five-area direct FOB live fed steer price last week was $5.02 higher at $205.30. The weighted average dressed delivered steer price was $8.54 higher at $324.97.
Choice boxed beef cutout value $2.89 higher Monday afternoon at $321.16/cwt. Select was $1.58 higher at $307.90.
Grain and Soybean futures were mixed Monday.
Toward the close and through Sep ’25 contracts, Kansas City Wheat futures 18¢ to 19¢ higher with traders apparently adding premium. Corn futures were 2¢ to 3¢ higher. Soybean futures were fractionally higher to 1¢ lower.