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Cattle Bounce Higher Ahead of Cattle on Feed Report

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Live cattle futures surged ahead of the Cattle on Feed report, with April contracts gaining $3.15 this week and daily gains up to $1.72, while cash trades settled at $235–236 in key regions. Feeder cattle futures rallied sharply, rising $3.42 on Friday and $8.27 for March, as the CME Feeder Cattle Index hit $362.06, reflecting strong demand amid tightening supplies. February’s Cattle on Feed data showed a 3.67% yearly increase in placements (1.611M head) but a 7.8% drop in marketings (1.522M head), leaving March 1 inventory at 11.549M head, down 0.24% year-over-year. Managed money reduced net long positions in live cattle futures by 2,417 contracts to 106,615, while feeder cattle specs trimmed 137 contracts, signaling cautious sentiment despite price gains. Wholesale boxed beef prices diverged, with Choice down 19 cents to $400.11 and Select up 49 cents to $392.94, as slaughter rates fell 17,000 head weekly and 49,527 year-over-year.
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AAPL TSLA AMZN META AMD NVDA PEP COST ADBE GOOG AMGN HON INTC INTU NFLX ADP SBUX MRNA AAPL TSLA AMZN META AMD NVDA PEP COST ADBE GOOG AMGN HON INTC INTU NFLX ADP SBUX MRNA AAPL TSLA AMZN META AMD NVDA PEP COST ADBE GOOG AMGN HON INTC INTU NFLX ADP SBUX MRNA Stocks Cattle Bounce Higher Ahead of Cattle on Feed Report March 20, 2026 — 07:51 pm EDT Written by Austin Schroeder for Barchart-> Live cattle futures were rallying into the close, with gains of 77 cents to $1.72 on the day, as April was $3.15 higher this week. Cash trade settled in late with $235-236 sales in the North and $235 in the South. The Friday morning Fed Cattle Exchange online auction showed $370 dressed sales on just 38 of the 1,026 head offered, with other bids of $233-235. Feeder cattle futures were in rally mode, up $32.22 to $3.42 at the close, with March $8.27 higher this week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was up another $1.37 to $362.06 on March 19. Cattle on Feed data from Friday afternoon showed a total of 1.611 million head of feeders placed in lots over 1,000 head during February, a 3.67% increase yr/yr. Marketings totaled 1.522 million head, down 7.8% vs. last year. That took the March 1 on feed inventory to 11.549 million head, a 0.24% drop yr/yr and compares to a 1.86% decline on Feb 1. Don’t Miss a Day: From crude oil to coffee, sign up free for Barchart’s best-in-class commodity analysis. Commitment of Traders data shows managed money in live cattle futures and options trimming 2,417 contracts from their net long position as of 3/17, taking it to 106,615 contracts. In feeder cattle futures and options, specs cut back 137 contracts to a net long of 17,933 contracts.Wholesale Boxed Beef prices were mixed the Friday afternoon report, with the Chc/Sel spread at $7.17. Choice boxes were down 19 cents to $400.11, while Select was 49 cents higher to $392.94. USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter for this week at 508,000. That was down 17,000 head from last week and 49,527 head below the same week last year. Apr 26 Live Cattle closed at $234.050, up $0.775,Jun 26 Live Cattle closed at $233.425, up $1.725,Aug 26 Live Cattle closed at $230.825, up $1.725,Mar 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $357.750, up $2.475,Apr 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $351.175, up $3.425,May 26 Feeder Cattle closed at $346.375, up $2.950, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here. More news from Barchart Massive Meatpacking Strike: What Does It Mean for Beef Prices, Cattle as 3,800 Workers Go on Strike?

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