Live Cattle Futures Trade Mixed as Volatility Subsides. 3/24/26

Why It Matters

The mixed price action signals a cautious market, influencing cattle producers’ hedging strategies and meat processors’ cost planning ahead of the summer feeding season.

Key Takeaways

• Live cattle futures slipped 5 cents, settling at 23,460.
• August live cattle rose 35 cents to 23,210, showing bullish tilt.
• Lean hog futures fell 35 cents, closing at 10,405.
• CME SEALL indexes declined; live cattle down 0.5%, feeder cattle down 0.75%.
• Wholesale box beef mixed; choice cuts down 98 cents, select up 89.

Summary

U.S. livestock markets traded mixed on Tuesday as the earlier bout of volatility eased, leaving the most‑active June live‑cattle contract down five cents at 23,460 while the August contract gained 35 cents to 23,210.

The lean‑hog June contract slipped 35 cents to 10,405, and the CME SEALL indexes reflected the tepid action – live‑cattle SEALL fell about 0.5% to 16.82 and feeder‑cattle SEALL dropped roughly 0.75% to 19.05, both retreating from two‑week highs.

A USDA wholesale box‑beef report showed a split: choice cuts fell 98 cents to $399.13 per hundredweight, whereas select cuts rose 89 cents to $393.89. The five‑area average price for live steers held steady at 23,508, and weekly slaughter rose to 105,000 head, 7,000 above the prior week but 13,000 below a year ago.

The modest price shifts and softened volatility suggest that traders are awaiting clearer supply signals, while processors may adjust margins based on the divergent movement in choice versus select beef cuts and the slight uptick in slaughter volumes.

Original Description

Livestock markets saw mixed results on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as broader market volatility began to steady. June Live Cattle futures settled slightly lower at 234.60, while the August contract gained 35 cents. Lean Hog futures also faced minor pressure, with the June contract settling at 104.05. The tight trading range led to a decline in CME CVOL indexes, with Live Cattle volatility dropping to 16.82%. In the cash market, live steer prices remained steady at 235.08, while daily slaughter figures showed an increase over last week but remained below year-ago levels.

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