Live and Feeder Cattle Markets Rise on Monday—CME Futures Up to 70 Cents

Live cattle gains 45 cents to $1.55 across nearbys on February 5. No deliveries were issued for February live cattle on Monday. Cash trade ended last week at $240–$244 in the north and $242–$245 in the south. Feeder cattle futures added 70 cents in most front months; the CME Feeder Cattle Index rose 19 cents to $374.47. The Monday OKC feeder cattle auction expected 9,500 head, with feeder steers steady to $5 higher, heifers up $5–$15, and lighter weight calves up $15–$25. On Friday, February 4, President Trump signed an executive order to raise the TRQ on beef imports from Argentina by 80,000 MT. Average monthly beef imports from all origins in 2025 were 151,666 MT. Wholesale boxed beef prices were mixed, with the Chc/Select spread narrowing to $2.41; Choice down $1.57 to $367.76, Select up $0.82 to $365.35. USDA estimated Monday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter at 107,000 head, 1,000 head below last Monday but 10,255 head above the same week in 2025. [CME CLOSES: Feb 26 @ $239.300, +$1.550; Apr 26 @ $238.200, +$0.950; Jun 26 @ $234.325, +$0.475] [CME CLOSES: Mar 26 Feeder @ $367.450, +$0.025; Apr 26 Feeder @ $363.200, +$0.400; May 26 Feeder @ $357.775, +$0.650]