Cattle futures pressured by decline in boxed beef

Cattle futures pressured by decline in boxed beef

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on technical selling and the recent slide in boxed beef.  February lives closed $.72 lower at $171.12 and April lives closed $.45 lower at $174.30.  March feeders closed $1.37 lower at $225.65 and April feeders closed $1.27 lower at $231.27.

Direct cash cattle trade was relatively quiet again for much of Thursday.  Bids did surface at $275 dressed in the North.  Asking prices were firm around $175-plus live in the South and $276-plus dressed in the North.  Look for business to pick up over the balance of the week.