February 16, 2015

For the most part, when assessing the changes from last week to this week, steadiness across all markets the over-arching theme. The five-area fed steer price ended the week at $160.54, live, and $255.15, dressed; respectively, down $1.81 and up $3.15. Nebraska traded cattle at $255 and $160-$162, for dressed and live, respectively. Similarly, live sales were recorded at the same $160-$162 level.
Feeder steers in Mississippi auction markets were mixed but mostly steady, with the exception being heavy weight feeder steers. Heavy weight cattle ended the week $10 lower. Feeder heifers were steady.  In Oklahoma City, feeder steers and heifers were steady to $1 lower, while calves were $2-$5 higher..

Cattle futures ended the week steady (to slightly higher for feeder futures). Support stemmed mostly from steady cash cattle, strengthening beef prices during most of the week, and overall positive sentiment in the general economy.
Corn futures were two cents per bushel higher across contract months.

Wholesale boxed beef prices were lower, but moved mildly higher until the end of the week. Choice boxes averaged $238.69, down $3.06. Select boxes ended the week at an average of $234.27, down $0.83.