Live cattle futures settled the Christmas Eve session with contracts down 45 cents to 30 cents higher. Cash trade has yet to begin this week, with bids of $190 reported in the South. Last week showed steady trade, at $195-195.50 in the North and $191 in the South. Feeder cattle futures headed lower on Tuesday, with contracts down 47 cents to $1. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down 4 cents from the day prior at $262.96 on December 23.

Beef stocks at the end of November were reported at 440.5 million lbs, which was down 3.69% from last year and 1.8% above October per the seasonal shift. It was the tightest beef stocks for November since 2014.

USDA wholesale Boxed Beef report will not be published on Tuesday or Wednesday due to Christmas. Prices were higher in the Monday afternoon report, with Choice boxes up 13 cents to $315.98/cwt and Select 84 cents higher @ $286.75. 

Dec 24 Live Cattle  closed at $190.800, down $0.175,

Feb 25 Live Cattle  closed at $187.375, down $0.075,

Apr 25 Live Cattle  closed at $189.550, down $0.150,

Jan 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $255.850, down $0.750,

Mar 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $255.000, down $1.000,

Apr 25 Feeder Cattle  closed at $255.850, down $0.925,