LIVESTOCK COMMENTS: With only one week of lower prices on these lightweight calves, it is difficult to draw many conclusions or speak towards a trend. The only thing that can be said is that buyers had less interest in these lightweight calves this week than they did last week
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
U.S. CATTLE REPORT: 🔥 June Beef Production Outlook Drops to Lowest Since 2017 as Boxed Beef Surges $11.64 on the Week 🔥
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
Calm (THE BEEF)... It’s another calm trading session for CME cattle futures as the market continues to consolidate after recent gains. Only spot June LC, supported by its $10/cwt discount to cash is making new contract highs daily with ease. Total LC open interest has dropped since last Friday and the market is taking a breather as it considers what’s next
CLARA: Cattle Barometer
As of Tuesday, fed cattle trade remains mostly quiet across the major feeding regions. A few early purchases were reported in the Texas Panhandle at $235.00, though volume was too limited to establish a reliable market trend. Negotiated cash trade has been mostly inactive in all regions, with moderate demand observed. (#cattletrade)
US Cattle Report by National Beef Wire
CLARA LIVE: The largest sale on Monday was at Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage, MO, with 7,250 head. Russell, IA followed with 3,079 head, while Callaway in Kingdom City, MO, moved 2,208 head. National Livestock in Oklahoma City, OK, reported 1,614 head, and Farmers & Ranchers in Salina, KS, sold 1,079 head. Total receipts were down 35% from last Monday.
CLARA LIVE
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
July corn futures have seen notable swings in May, starting the month at $4.7225 and dropping to $4.425 by May 13—a decline of 29.75 cents during that stretch. The market then rebounded, climbing 20.5 cents over six of the next seven sessions to reach $4.63 on 5/22. July corn closed on Friday at $4.595, down 3.5 cents on the day and 12.75 cents below its opening level for the month. (corn futures)
CLARA (Cattle Livestock Analytics and Reporting AI)
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)
STOCK UPDATE: Stock indexes are sharply lower for the second session, with the S&P 500 down 98.75 points to 5,750.97, the Dow down 787.63 points to 42,403.61, and the Nasdaq down 278.11 points to 18,072.08. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 have dropped to 4-month lows, while the Dow Jones is at a 7-week low, driven by escalating global trade tensions. New U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China took effect today
Market Update