April 30, 2026 — Live cattle futures closed mixed on Wednesday, with front-month contracts rallying on active cash trade. The April contract, which expires Thursday, surged $4.20 to settle at $256.875. Other contracts ranged from 25 cents lower to $1.75 higher.
Cash trade kicked off early this week. Bids started at $250-$252 per hundredweight across the country and climbed to $256-$257 by Wednesday, according to Barchart data. The Fed Cattle Exchange online auction reported sales on 517 of the 1,036 head offered, at $256-$258. One dressed lot traded at $404.
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Feeder Cattle and Wholesale Prices
Feeder cattle futures also showed a mixed picture. The April contract, expiring Thursday, edged up 20 cents to $372.275. Other contracts fell 55 cents or rose 37 cents. The CME Feeder Cattle Index rose 18 cents to $369.80 on April 28.
Wholesale boxed beef prices moved lower in the Wednesday afternoon report. The Choice-Select spread sat at $1.80. Choice boxes dropped 85 cents to $388.05, while Select fell $2.53 to $386.25.
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USDA estimated federally inspected cattle slaughter at 109,000 head on Wednesday. That brings the weekly total to 324,000 head — up 5,000 from last week but 22,156 head below the same week last year.
Contract Settlement Prices
The following settlements were recorded on Wednesday:
- Apr 26 Live Cattle: $256.875, up $4.200
- Jun 26 Live Cattle: $255.250, up $1.750
- Aug 26 Live Cattle: $249.725, up $0.625
- Apr 26 Feeder Cattle: $372.275, up $0.200
- May 26 Feeder Cattle: $371.500, down $0.225
- Aug 26 Feeder Cattle: $372.525, down $0.550
Industry watchers note that the cash market strength in front months could signal near-term supply tightness. But deferred contracts lagged, suggesting traders expect more supply later in the year.
Market Context
Data from the USDA shows weekly slaughter volumes remain below year-ago levels. The implication is that packers are still adjusting to tighter cattle supplies after herd liquidation in recent years.
This week’s cash trade activity was unusually early, with deals reported Monday rather than later in the week. That pattern has emerged in recent months as packers compete for available cattle.
For more on cattle market trends, see Barchart’s livestock analysis. The USDA’s Livestock, Poultry & Grain Market News provides daily slaughter and price data. The CME Group’s live cattle futures page offers contract specifications and settlement data.
On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have positions in any of the securities mentioned. This article is for informational purposes only. See the Barchart Disclosure Policy for more details.
This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy and quality.
