Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were stronger on Friday, with positioning ahead of a major winter storm set to move through the United States providing support.
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- The February live cattle contract gained 2.525 cents per pound at 234.900 cents. Feeder cattle were up 0.900 cents in the March contract at 360.175 cents per pound.
- Extreme cold temperatures and precipitation ranging from snow in the north to freezing rain in the south may disrupt cattle markets heading into next week, accounting for some of Friday’s activity as participants squared positions.
- Positioning ahead of the monthly cattle on feed report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture was another feature. The report was released after the markets closed, with placements of 1.55 million head in December down five per cent from the same month a year ago.
- There were a total of 11.5 million head of cattle and calves on feed in the U.S. as of Jan. 1, 2026. That was down three per cent from the previous year.
- The USDA reported wholesale boxed beef prices were mixed, with choice boxes up $1.25 at $368.70 per hundredweight and select boxes down $0.43 at $361.30/cwt in the morning report.
- Lean hog prices were weaker Friday, backing away from nearby highs with the nearby February futures down 0.125 cents per pound at 88.350 cents per pound and the April futures down 0.175 cents at 96.175 cents per pound.
