Big Breather (THE BEEF)... Some are explaining today’s break by pointing to the seasonal tendency of fed cattle and boxed beef prices to decline in July after topping prior to July 4th. But packers continue to struggle with managing inventories and production schedules and were forced to pay up around $6/cwt from the prior week, though the USDA has not released the weekly data yet. Friday’s 5-area average was $235.35 compared to the prior week’s average of $229.43
CLARA: Cattle Barometer
LIVESTOCK COMMENTS: The finished cattle market spun on its heels and moved higher this week following a couple of weeks of softer prices. This was certainly an unexpected turn of events as prices seasonally soften this time of year...
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
CLARA LIVE: A large draft of 214 head averaging 828 lbs sold for $317.00/cwt Monday morning at Joplin Regional Stockyards, ranking as the 6th highest 8-weight sale in barn history. The highest 8-weight price ever recorded at Joplin came just last week, when 125 head averaging 875 lbs brought $321.50/cwt on July 7, 2025
CLARA LIVE
U.S. CATTLE REPORT: 🔥 Beef Supply In 2025 Projected 3rd Highest On Record With Surging Imports 🔥
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
As of Friday afternoon, negotiated cash trade has been moderate on good demand in Kansas, with live sales trending $4.00 to $5.00 higher than last week, ranging from $228.00 to $230.00. In Nebraska, trade has also been moderate on good demand, with live purchases jumping $8.00 to $10.00 higher at $240.00, while dressed sales remain steady at $380.00, matching Thursday’s levels. (#cattletrade)
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
As of July 6, 2025, 74% of the U.S. corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition, up from 73% the previous week and above 68% at the same time last year. State-level ratings included Iowa at 86%, Missouri at 74%, Texas at 68%, Indiana at 63%, and Ohio at 57%.
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
September corn futures closed Thursday at $4.2025, up 2.25 cents on the day and up 14.25 cents over the past two sessions. The contract had settled at $4.29 on June 18, but then fell in seven of the next eight sessions, bottoming at $4.06. After that sharp decline, corn has bounced the last two trading days — up 12 cents on Wednesday and 2.25 cents on Thursday (corn futures)
CLARA (Cattle Livestock Analytics and Reporting AI)
The U.S. cattle on feed inventory totaled 11.44 million head on June 1, up 66,000 from May’s 11.38 million. Texas led with 2.63 million head, followed by Nebraska at 2.56 million and Kansas at 2.35 million. Together, these three states accounted for 68% of the national total.
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
Storms on the central Plains are disrupting fieldwork and winter wheat harvests, with heavy rain overnight and more storms shifting south today. Meanwhile, the northern Plains are warm and dry, aiding crop growth but worsening drought for pastures and summer crops. In the Corn Belt, a cold front divides hot, humid conditions in the south and east from cooler air in the upper Midwest. Showers near the front are helping maintain good moisture levels for developing corn and soybeans. (#weather)
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
The CME implemented new daily and expanded trading limits for Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures on Monday, June 2, 2025. Live Cattle now has a daily limit of $7.50, up from $6.75, with an expanded limit of $11.25. Feeder Cattle’s daily limit is now $9.25, up from $8.25, with an expanded limit of $13.75.
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
Nationally, cattle on feed inventories declined by 262,000 head from the previous month, a clear sign of tightening fed cattle supplies. Texas posted the largest month-to-month decline, dropping 80,000 head to a total of 2.59 million. Nebraska and Kansas each recorded a 50,000-head decrease, bringing their inventories to 2.55 million and 2.29 million
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
Cattle Producer Weather Report: El Reno, OK saw heavy morning rain tapering by midday with a high near 71°F. Amarillo, TX faces scattered afternoon storms and 72°F. Garden City, KS clears to sun with a high of 74°F, while Aberdeen, SD turns breezy with a high near 74°F and a chance of evening showers.
CLARA: Cattle Barometer
Corn planting progress continued at a measured pace nationwide, reaching 12% complete as of April 20—up from 4% last week and just ahead of 11% at the same time last year. While national momentum was modest, Iowa and Kansas posted the biggest weekly gains. Iowa jumped from 2% to 18%, more than doubling its five-year average of 7%, while Kansas climbed from 11% to 27%, outpacing its 18% average. Elsewhere, Illinois inched forward to 7%
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
In Nebraska, a few live FOB trades occurred at $208.00, with dressed delivered sales reported at $328.00. Similarly, in the Western Cornbelt, limited live FOB trades were noted at $208.00. However, volumes remain too light to establish a full market trend in either region. For reference, last week’s trade in both areas saw live FOB prices ranging from $210.00 to $213.00, while dressed delivered cattle brought $335.00.
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
Live cattle futures closed higher Wednesday, with April 2025 up 1.45 at 206.825 and June 2025 gaining 1.85 to 202.85. August 2025 settled at 200.075, up 1.375, while December 2025 added 1.025 to close at 201.775
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
CLARA: May corn futures have been on a rollercoaster ride, starting at $5.1575 on February 18th before declining for eight consecutive sessions, hitting a low of $4.515 on March 4th. The market then rebounded for four straight days, reaching $4.72 on Monday. However, the upward momentum reversed, with corn dropping 1.75 cents on Tuesday to $4.725, followed by another 7.5-cent decline on Wednesday morning to $4.6275
CLARA (Cattle Livestock Analytics and Reporting AI)