Live cattle and lean hogs were able to stage impressive rallies in Tuesday’s trade. Are new highs in the cards or has the market ran into resistance?
Live Cattle (December)
December live cattle were able to run back to the top end of the recent range in yesterday’s trade. We hate to sound like a broken record, but our bias and technical levels haven’t changed much. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the market continue to settle into more of a range with the top end coming in near 189 and the low end coming in near 184 and change. A breakout above or below could accelerate and extend the move in the corresponding direction.
Resistance: 189.47-190.075, 191.47-191.62
Pivot: 187.675-188.00
Support: 186.075-186.40, 184.225-184.55
Daily Cattle and Beef Summary
Cutout values were mixed Tuesday afternoon with choice cuts 1.10 higher to 323.96 and select 1.41 lower to 294.80. The 5-area average price for live steers was reported at 187.00 which we’d call steady. Tuesday’s slaughter was reported at 123k head, 2k less than the same day last week and 4k less than the same day last year.
Seasonal Tendency Update
Below is a chart of the February 2025 live cattle contract (black line) compared to price averages over the last 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 years.
*Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Volatility Update
Live cattle volatility remains relatively low which may present opportunities for those looking to hedge/manage downside risk.

Commitment of Traders Update
Friday’s Commitment of Traders report showed funds were net buyers of over 10k contracts through October 15th, expanding their net long to 88,301. That is the largest net long position since October 3, 2023.

Feeder Cattle (November)
Feeder cattle futures staged an impressive rally yesterday, taking pries back near our resistance pocket from 249.85-250.80. This will be an important pocket to keep an eye on through this week’s trade. We are in the camp that this resistance pocket can hold but recognize a breakout and close above could extend the rally towards 253.075-253.90.
Resistance: 249.85-250.80, 253.075-253.90
Pivot: 246.82-247.60
Support: 244.92*, 242.75-243.77, 239.62-240.15
Seasonal Tendency Update
Below is a chart of the January 2025 feeder cattle contract (black line) compared to price averages over the last 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 years.
*Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Commitment of Traders Update
Friday’s Commitment of Traders report showed funds were net buyers of about 2.2k contracts, the fifth straight week of net buying. The net long position for Funds stands at 7,657, the largest net long since April.

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