Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were down sharply on fund liquidation and sharply lower than a week ago direct cash business. The USDA says beef export sales were 13,600 tons, down 21% on the week, but up 24% from the four-week average, mainly to Japan, South Korea, and Mexico. December live was down $5.05 at $174.35 and February was $5.00 lower at $174.47. January feeders were $7.85 lower at 4224.92 and March was down $7.75 at $227.25.
