Cattle futures up ahead of On Feed numbers

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up waiting on direct business and ahead of Friday’s On Feed numbers from the USDA. April lives closed $1.65 higher at $208.47 and June lives closed $2.17 higher at $205.02. April feeder cattle closed $1.72 higher at $288.45 and May feeders closed $1.60 higher at $289.10.

Direct cash cattle trade activity has been non-existent. Packer inquiry has been limited and bids have been elusive. Asking prices were at $207-plus live in the South, but still haven’t been established in the North. Significant trade volume will likely be delayed until sometime Friday.

At the Hub City Livestock Market in South Dakota, steers 600 to 749 pounds were $10 higher with instances of $15 higher. Steers 750 to 959 pounds were mostly steady with instances of up to $7 higher on 750 to 799 pounds. Heifers 600 to 649 pounds and 700 to 749 pounds were fully steady. Heifers 650 to 699 pounds and 740 to 799 pounds were unevenly steady.