GENERAL COMMENTS:
The feeder cattle complex is again trading higher as traders take the USDA's announcement that the border is again closed to Mexican imports as a bullish note. Still no cash cattle trade has developed but bids are on the table in the South. July corn is down 4 cents per bushel and July soybean meal is up $2.50. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 237.95 points and the NASDAQ is down 0.79 points.
The biggest news hitting the livestock front this morning is that late Wednesday afternoon (7/9/2025) the USDA issued a new statement that because a new case of New World screwworm has been round in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz in Mexico (which is only 370 miles South of the U.S./Mexico border) the border between the U.S and Mexico is again shut down to cattle, bison and equine imports from Mexico.
Thursday's export report shared that net sales of 11,600 mt for 2025 were up 1% from the previous week but down 12% from the prior 4-week average. The three largest buyers were Japan (4,000 mt), South Korea (3,800 mt) and Mexico (1,100 mt). Pork net sales of 24,300 mt for 2025 were down 11% from the previous week and 17% from the prior 4-week average. The three largest buyers were China (8,800 mt), Mexico (7,300 mt) and Japan (4,200 mt).
LIVE CATTLE:
The live cattle complex is trading mixed into Thursday's noon hour, seeming to again hold its breath until there's an understanding of the direction fed cash cattle prices are going to trade this week. August live cattle are down $0.62 at $219.15, October live cattle are down $0.20 at $217.20 and December live cattle are up $0.12 at $217.42. A few bids are on the table at mostly $223 in the South, but a regional packer is currently bidding up to $227. But with asking prices firm in the South at $228 to $230, still no cattle have traded yet. And the North remains incredibly quiet with no bids or asking prices having been posted just yet. Upon seeing that boxed beef prices are lower again today, I think it's safe to say that the seasonal downward trend of the third quarter for boxed beef prices has been set into motion.
Boxed beef prices are lower: choice down $1.78 ($384.67) and select down $1.51 ($371.76) with a movement of 42 loads (23.85 loads of choice, 6.48 loads of select, 7.05 loads of trim and 4.35 loads of ground beef).
FEEDER CATTLE:
With the USDA's updated announcement (see above in general comments) that the US border is again closed to Mexican imports, the feeder cattle complex has again gained another leg up and traders are continuing to support its higher trend. August feeders are up $1.40 at $321.87, September feeders are up $1.62 at $321.65 and October feeders are up $1.50 at $319.52. We know that domestic supplies are tight, and buyer demand remains red hot, which is why traders remain confident in continuing to push the contracts higher.
LEAN HOGS:
Pork cutout values may be higher, but the slight downturn of exports seems to be negatively weighing on trader's minds as the contracts are trading fully lower into Thursday's noon hour. August lean hogs are down $1.00 at $106.22, October lean hogs are down $1.12 at $92.65 and December lean hogs are down $1.20 at $84.50. The carcass price was realistically able to print higher this morning because of the heavy lifting done by the belly which jumped $4.51 higher, and the ham which jumped $4.24.
Hog prices are higher on the Daily Direct Morning Hog Report, up $0.94 with a weighted average price of $112.75, ranging from $100.00 to $114.00 on 4,892 head and a five-day rolling average of $112.26. Pork cutouts total 147.54 loads with 131.10 loads of pork cuts and 16.44 loads of trim. Pork cutout values: up $1.42, $113.48.
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