US Cattle Market Review for Week 16, April 21, 2025

Live cattle futures ended the week higher on Thursday, up $1.175-$2.75, with June ending the short Easter week higher by $7.27. Cash markets saw activity on Thursday, with sales reaching $208-$210 in the South and $212 in the North. This represents an increase of $4-$6 from last week. Feeder cattle rose $1.42-$2.45, with the expiring April contract up $3.40. May futures are up $8.145 this week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index rose again, up $5.54 on April 16, averaging $293.57. Markets will be closed on Good Friday.

The USDA Feeder Cattle Report showed March placements were down 5.08% from last year, totaling 1.841 million head. March sales were up 1.05%, totaling 1.725 million head. On April 1, the number of cattle on feed decreased 1.59% to 11.638 million head. A breakdown of bulls and heifers was released this month, with 4.38 million heifers on feed, representing 37.64% of the total and the lowest in the last five years.

Export sales data showed that a total of 17,470 tonnes of beef were sold in the week ending April 10. This was a seven-week high. Japan was the largest buyer with 7,700 tonnes, of which 3,700 tonnes were sold to South Korea. Shipments were a three-week low of 14,615 tonnes. South Korea was the main destination with 5,600 tonnes, of which 3,500 tonnes were sold to Japan.

The USDA's wholesale beef shipments report was mixed Thursday afternoon, as the Chc/Sel ratio narrowed to $16.51. Choice beef fell 63 cents to $332.90/cwt, while Select beef rose $2.00 to $316.39. Federally inspected cattle slaughter was estimated at 120,000 head Thursday, for a weekly total of 477,000. That's up 14,000 head from the previous week, but down 9,297 head from the same week last year.

CME: Live Cattle Futures

Week 15

Week 16

Weekly growth,%

April

202.48

209.83

3.6%

June

196.80

204.08

3.7%

August

193.85

200.13

3.2%

CME: Feeder Cattle Futures

April

285.18

293.35

2.9%

May

278.70

286.85

2.9%

August

283.68

290.88

2.5%

You can learn more about the state of the US cattle market (cattle prices , beef prices by category, and production trends) in Meatinfo.ru's weekly meat market reviews in Russia and globally. Weekly reviews are available with a subscription.