Livestock Prepare for Fresh Start in the Upcoming Month, Post Thursday's Sale Concluding the Previous Month
In the livestock market, July 2025 saw a mixed picture for USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices, with Choice boxes decreasing by 67 cents, while Select boxes rose by 46 cents. Meanwhile, Feeder Cattle closed at $330.175 on October 25, marking a decrease of $8.375 compared to the previous month.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index remained unchanged on July 30, but it had previously risen by $1.98 on that date. In contrast, the Northern live cattle trade saw an increase of $3 to $383 dressed.
Live Cattle futures for August and October experienced losses of $5.30 and $6.57, respectively, rounding out the month of July. However, the closing prices for live cattle futures contracts for August, October, and December 2025 during July showed upward movement, with gains ranging from about $0.97 to over $2.00 per cwt for various trading days.
On July 15, live cattle futures rallied $2.05 to $2.325 at midday, and by July 29-30, live cattle futures were up $1.40 to $1.85 across most contracts. These trends indicate a continued upward trajectory for live cattle futures in late July.
Shipments of beef exports totaled 12,262 MT in the same week, while Beef Export Sales amounted to 8,483 MT in the week ending on July 24, a decrease from the previous week. The USDA estimated cattle slaughter for Thursday at 111,000 head, resulting in a weekly total of 444,000.
Cash trade for live cattle in Kansas increased by $3 to $5 from the previous week, reaching $235. Feeder cattle futures, however, experienced losses, with nearby contracts down $7.57 to $8.37. The closing prices for Dec 25 Live Cattle were $223.925, down $5.975 from the previous month.
It's important to note that this report provides indicative price ranges and gains but not a full daily closing price table. For precise daily closing prices of the August, October, and December 2025 live cattle futures throughout July, checking an official futures market data provider such as CME Group or a detailed trading platform would be necessary.
At the time of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. The USDA Wholesale Boxed Beef prices are not mentioned to have changed.
Technology played a significant role in tracking the fluctuations in the livestock market during July 2025. Real-time data on prices, trade volumes, and futures contracts were easily accessible to both traders and analysts, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly. However, it's crucial to verify data from official sources such as CME Group or detailed trading platforms for accurate and up-to-date information.
