Today’s Livestock Market Update

Today’s Livestock Market Update

The livestock complex ended the day mixed. The Cattle on Feed report turned out to be neutral to slightly bullish. Only a handful of cattle had sold in the South, but prices were marked at $249, which was $1 higher than last week’s weighted average. However, Northern cattle had traded at mostly $388, which was $7 higher than last week’s weighted average.

The live cattle complex closed lower as traders were apprehensive to push the contracts higher ahead of seeing what the fed cash cattle market was going to do or before they could see what Friday afternoon’s Cattle on Feed report revealed. The Cattle on Feed report turned out to be neutral to slightly bullish. Based on what cash cattle trade has developed, its trend has been higher too.

At the time of this writing, only a handful of cattle had sold in the South, but prices were marked at $249, which was $1 higher than last week’s weighted average. Conversely, Northern cattle had traded at mostly $388, which was $7 higher than last week’s weighted average. Given that only a small handful of cattle had traded in the South, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that price improve when more cattle begin to be traded, as feedlot managers are keenly aware of the market’s limited supply of market-ready fats.

Friday’s slaughter is estimated at 89,000 head—3,000 head more than a week ago and 19,000 head less than a year ago. Saturday’s slaughter is projected to be around zero head of cattle. The week’s total slaughter is estimated at 516,000 head—25,000 head less than a week ago and 48,000 head less than a year ago.

Boxed beef prices are higher: choice up $1.53 ($366.70) and select up $0.95 ($360.74) with a movement of 106 loads (75.66 loads of choice, 4.41 loads of select, 21.32 loads of trim and 4.78 loads of ground beef). With supplies thin, it’s likely that the trend is going to continue to inch higher until later in the year.

The feeder cattle complex followed the direction of the live cattle market, as traders weren’t willing to push the contracts ahead of a major afternoon where the fed cash cattle market was still up for discussion. The Cattle on Feed report was also released after the day’s close. March feeders closed $2.25 lower at $368.02, April feeders closed $2.60 lower at $365.05, and May feeders closed $2.57 lower at $361. The CME feeder cattle index for 2/19/2026 is up $0.45, reaching $377.37.

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