At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, supported by higher boxed beef at midday and Friday’s stronger cash business. December live cattle closed $2.90 higher at $192.22 and February live cattle closed $2.55 higher at $182.95 and January feeder cattle closed $.40 higher at $236.90 and January feeders closed $.62 higher at $235.70.
Direct cash cattle trade activity finally picked up in the South on Friday. For the week, live deals were reported at $183 to $185, $2 lower to fully steady with the previous week’s business.