Live cattle futures are down $1.30 to $1.50 across the nearbys on Friday. Cash trade has been slow this short week, with the South kicking things off at $181 on Thursday, down $2 on the week. Northern bids are $180-181 so far this morning. Feeder cattle futures are $2.70 to $3.30 lower at midday. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up $1.74 at $241.27 on September 4. 

There was some news on Thursday that Anthrax had killed some cattle in Wyoming, likely sparking some risk off among the spec crowd. 

Export Sales data showed bookings of 16,529 MT in the week of August 29, which was down from the week prior. Japan was the largest buyer of 7,700 MT, with 2,100 MT sold to Taiwan. Shipments were 14,905 MT in that week, which was a 4-week high. A total of 3,600 MT was headed to Japan, with 3,200 MT on its way to South Korea.

USDA wholesale Boxed Beef prices were lower in the Friday AM report. Choice boxes were down $1.92 at $309.59, with Select products 98 cents lower @ $295.80. The Chc/Select spread narrowed to $13.79. USDA estimated Thursday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 124,000 head, taking the weekly total to 376,000. That is well below the previous week due to the holiday and 10,589 head below the same week last year.

Oct 24 Live Cattle  are at $175.950, down $1.300,

Dec 24 Live Cattle  are at $175.225, down $1.500,

Feb 25 Live Cattle  are at $175.850, down $1.475,

Sep 24 Feeder Cattle  are at $234.425, down $2.700

Oct 24 Feeder Cattle  are at $231.275, down $3.300

Nov 24 Feeder Cattle  are at $228.500, down $3.175