Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle Current Podcast—April 21, 2025
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand in the western Corn Belt to inactive on very light demand elsewhere through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, FOB live prices were $4-$6 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $208-$210/cwt., $6 higher in Kansas at $210, $4-$6 higher in Nebraska at $212-$214 and $4-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $212-$215. Dressed delivered prices were $5-$12 higher in Nebraska at $332-$340 and $7-$8 higher in the western Corn Belt at $335.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.38 lower Friday afternoon at $331.51/cwt. Select was 84¢ lower at $315.55.
Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 576,000 head was 12,000 head more than the previous week but 42,000 head fewer than the same week a year earlier. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 9.0 million head was 530,000 head fewer (-5.6%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.6 billion pounds was 147.2 million pounds less (-1.8%).
Equity and futures markets were closed Friday in observance of Good Friday. Cattle futures trended higher during the week, supported by stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.27 higher week to week on Thursday ($4.25 higher at the back to $8.98 higher at the front.
Week to week on Thursday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $9.41 higher.