Fed cattle trade closed with increases in trade values for the week. Northern and southern trade both closed at $183 for the week, up $2 and $3 respectively. Live cattle futures closed the week up $0.85 to $1.05 across the front three months of trade.

Stocker and feeder cattle trade trended upward for the week. The national average price for stocker steers was $2.60 higher for the week, closing at $310.09. Trade varied from $2 lower to $8 higher. The national average price for feeder steers was up $2.72, closing at $249.28 for the week. Trade varied from $2 lower to $6 higher for the week. Feeder cattle futures closed the week up $3.55 to $6.45 across the front three months of trade.

The Choice cutout was $4.41 for the week, closing at $300.61, while the Select cutout was $0.35 lower at $286.31. The Choice/Select spread widened by $4.76, closing at $14.30.

The cutter cow cutout closed at $242.02, $5.66 higher for the week. Slaughter cow trade was even to $6 higher.

Total red meat production for last week was estimated at 1,054 million lb.  This is 1.1% lower than week before, but 3.4% higher than a year ago.  Cumulative red meat production for 2024 year to date is 1.4% lower than this point in 2023. Carcass weights averaged 912 lb. last week, compared to 909 lb. the week prior, and 902 lb. last year.