Live cattle futures were 15 to 35 cents higher at the Tuesday settlement. Cash trade has yet to get kicked off this week, as last week was mostly $230. Feeder cattle futures were up $2.50 to $3.40 to close Tuesday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up 60 cents to $347.37 on December 12. 

USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed in Tuesday afternoon’s report, with the Chc/Sel spread narrowing to $9.78. Choice boxes were down 58 cents to $358.88, while Select was $1.80 higher at $349.10. USDA federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 121,000 head on Tuesday, with the weekly total at 231,000 head. That was 7,000 head below last week and 8,533 head shy of the same week last year. 

Dec 25 Live Cattle  closed at $231.150, up $0.325,

Feb 26 Live Cattle  closed at $230.700, up $0.150,

Apr 26 Live Cattle  closed at $230.275, up $0.250,

Jan 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $343.325, up $3.400,

Mar 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $337.600, up $2.750,

Apr 26 Feeder Cattle  closed at $336.300, up $2.525,

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