Cattle Current Market Update with Wes Ishmael

Cattle Current Podcast—May 20, 2025
Stronger wholesale beef values and last week’s firm to higher cash fed cattle prices helped lift Live Cattle futures Monday.
Toward the close, Live Cattle futures were an average of 89¢ higher. Feeder Cattle futures were mixed, from an average of 35¢ lower to an average of 13¢ higher.
Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was inactive in major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Last week, FOB live prices were $220/cwt. in the Southern Plains and $228-$229 in the North. Dressed delivered prices were $358.
Last week’s weighted average five-area direct FOB live fed steer price was $1.65 higher at $226.45/cwt. The weighted average dressed delivered fed steer price was $1.61 higher at $357.67.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.32 higher Monday afternoon at $354.81/cwt. Select was $1.72 higher at $344.11.
Grain and Soybean futures were higher Monday with likely short covering.
Toward the close and through Mar ‘26 contracts, Corn futures were 3¢ to 5¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures were 7¢ higher. Soybean futures were mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.