NATIONAL FEEDER & STOCKER CATTLE SUMMARY – WEEK ENDING 05/31/2025
By USDA-MO Dept of Ag Market News
RECEIPTS: Auctions Direct Video/Internet Total
This Week: 89,100 34,300 4,000 127,400
Last Week: 170,100 33,000 13,300 216,400
Year Ago: 83,400 38,600 26,700 148,700
Compared to last week, steers and heifers sold 2.00 to 6.00 higher on this holiday shortened week and much lighter receipts than a week ago.
Demand was good to very good even though many auctions were closed for the week and the few that were open had light to very light offerings.
Outside influences ruled the day in the futures market on Tuesday this week as the Cattle Complex cratered the board shortly after the open to near limit down moves. However, rumors were proven to be untrue by mid-trading session and the day losses on the Feeder Cattle contracts were mostly in the 2.00 range.
After follow-through nervousness on Wednesday, Thursday roared to over 4.00 gains on the nearby FC as cash fed cattle reigned with trading up to 235.00 in Nebraska, nearly 20.00 above the June LC Board.
Auction markets brushed off the issue and OKC West in El Reno, OK was called 8.00 to 13.00 higher on their calf run on Tuesday.
Cash markets mostly set aside the news as overall short supplies and continued demand for beef seem to outweigh all else.
Hay season is near full swing even though the weather isn't totally cooperative farmers are still managing to get several fields baled. Corn planting is all but virtually done now, and beans will quickly wrap up as well.
Negotiated sales of fed cattle in Kansas sold mostly 2.00 higher at 222.00, with a few up to 223.00. In TX/OK/NM, live sales sold mostly 3.00 higher at 223.00. In Nebraska, live sales were 5.00 higher at 235.00 to 236.00; while dressed sales sold mostly 3.00 to 5.00 higher at 365.00 to 370.00.
For the week, Choice Boxed beef closed on Friday at 366.34, 4.79 higher and Select closed at 356.65, 5.33 higher.
Weekly Cattle Slaughter under federal inspection estimated at 477K, 93K less than last week and 62K less than a year ago.
Auction volume this week included 55 percent weighing over 600 lbs and 43 percent heifers.
