Cattle futures closed higher Friday on stronger wholesale beef values and the fact that USDA’s New World Screwworm update the previous day did not include reopening the U.S. border to Mexican cattle, as some had feared.

Live cattle futures closed an average of $3.43 higher. Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.53 higher.

Week to week on Friday, Live Cattle futures were an average of $3.63 higher and Feeder Cattle futures were an average of $5.96 higher.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly limited on light to moderate demand in all major cattle feeding regions through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, FOB live prices were steady to $2 lower in Nebraska at $243-$245/cwt. and steady in the western Corn Belt at $240-$245. Dressed delivered prices were steady to $2 higher in Nebraska at $380-$385.

The previous week, FOB live prices were $235 in the Southern Plains. Dressed delivered prices in the western Corn Belt were $378-$385 in a light test.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $6.78 higher Friday afternoon at $400.57. Select was $3.88 higher at $370.76. Week to week on Friday, Choice boxed beef cutout value was $21.73 higher and Select was $15.67 higher (see below).

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 530,000 head was 6,000 head fewer than the previous week and 75,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 18.3 million head was 1.3 million head fewer (-6.8%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 15.9 billion pounds was 635.1 million pounds less (-3.8%).

Grain and Soybean futures closed higher Friday, building on the rally after the early-week drop tied to the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher. Kansas City Wheat futures closed mostly 3¢ higher. Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 14¢ higher through Sep ’26 and then 7¢ to 8¢ higher.