Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were sharply higher, supported by the direct cash cattle business during the session. That helped contracts shrug off the mixed midday move in beef. Feeders did pick up some additional support from the modestly lower corn. Beef export sales were up modestly on the week, mainly to South Korea, China, and Japan. February live was up $2.37 at $177.72 and April was $2.35 higher at $180.70. March feeders were $4.40 higher at $238.17 and April was up $4.12 at $243.92.
