GENERAL COMMENTS:
It was a mixed day for the livestock complex as the futures market closed mostly lower, but the cash cattle complex saw some positive momentum ahead of the week's end. Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $382, which is $4.00 higher than last week's weighted average and Southern live cattle traded at $248, which is also $4.00 higher than last week's weighted average. March corn is up 1/2 cent per bushel and March soybean meal is up $1.30. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 48.95 points and the NASDAQ is down 50.48 points.
From Friday to Friday, livestock futures scored the following changes: February live cattle up $5.33, April live cattle up $3.38; March feeder cattle down $1.27, April feeder cattle up $0.65; April lean hogs down $6.68, June lean hogs down $6.05; March corn up $0.01, May corn up $0.03.
**The markets will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents Day. Regular DTN commentary will resume on Tuesday, Feb. 17.**
LIVE CATTLE:
The live cattle contracts closed lower as traders weren't willing to allow the contracts to scale higher without first seeing what the fed cash cattle market was going to accomplish. Luckily, stronger trade developed in the cash sector shortly after the market closed. Northern dressed cattle traded at mostly $382, which is $4.00 higher than last week's weighted average and Southern live cattle traded at $248, which is also $4.00 higher than last week's weighted average.
Friday's slaughter is estimated at 86,000 head, 1,000 head more than a week ago and 15,000 head less than a year ago. Saturday's slaughter is estimated to be around 1,000 head. The week's total slaughter is estimated at 541,000 head, 5,000 head more than a week ago and 19,000 head less than a year ago.
Boxed beef prices closed mixed: choice down $0.37 ($364.47), select up $0.39 ($363.42) with a movement of 60 loads (37.38 loads of choice, 7.83 loads of select, 9.56 loads of trim and 4.79 loads of ground beef).
TUESDAY'S CATTLE CALL: It's likely again, next week, fed cash cattle prices will trade higher.
FEEDER CATTLE:
The feeder cattle complex closed mixed, with the furthest deferred months maintaining a stronger position, but the market's nearby contracts were fearful to hold their higher position ahead of the day's close as the live cattle contracts closed lower. March feeders closed $0.42 higher at $366.15, April feeders closed $0.17 lower at $363.45 and May feeders closed $0.47 higher at $359.42. The Oklahoma Weekly Cattle Auction Summary shared that compared to last week, feeder steers over 800 pounds sold $2.00 to $4.00 lower, but steers under 800 pounds traded $5.00 to $10.00 higher. Feeder heifers over 700 pounds sold steady to $5.00 lower, and steers under 700 pounds traded $2.00 to $7.00 higher. Steer and heifer calves traded unevenly steady. The cattle market was mixed this week and struggled to establish a consistent trend. Grazing-type cattle were the exception, as demand from grass accounts remained very strong. Feeder cattle supply over 600 pounds was 69%. The CME feeder cattle index 2/12/2026: up $0.04, $373.91.
LEAN HOGS:
The lean hog complex closed mostly lower Friday afternoon, as the market is fearful of an overabundance of supply and was disappointed to see pork cutout values close lower, too. April lean hogs closed $0.55 lower at $91.27, June lean hogs closed $1.00 lower at $104.55 and July lean hogs closed $1.10 lower at $106.25. Unfortunately, it's tough to tell when the downward trend may end, as traders are quickly pulling the contracts away from the highs established last week. Pork cutout values tipping lower could cause more downward pressure, too. Hog prices closed lower on the Daily Direct Afternoon Hog Report, down $1.73 with a weighted average price of $85.22 on 1,229 head. Pork cutouts total 253.58 loads with 212.81 loads of pork cuts and 40.78 loads of trim. Pork cutout values: down $0.49, $95.16. Friday's slaughter is estimated at 446,000 head, 44,000 head less than a week ago and 35,000 head less than a year ago. Saturday's slaughter is projected to be around 129,000 head. The CME lean hog index 2/11/2026: up $0.37, $86.89.
TUESDAY'S HOG CALL: Lower. Packers won't likely show significant interest in the cash market on Tuesday.
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