Cattle Futures Mostly Higher to Start the Week

Live and feeder cattle prices rise ahead of direct business

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange closed mostly higher on Monday, with April live cattle up $0.95 to $238.20 and June live cattle up $0.47 to $234.32. March feeder cattle closed $0.02 higher at $367.45, and May feeder cattle closed $0.40 higher at $363.20.

Why it matters

Cattle futures prices are an important indicator of the overall health and direction of the beef industry. Higher prices suggest strong demand and can signal potential increases in retail beef prices down the line.

The details

The higher cattle futures prices came ahead of this week's direct cash cattle business, where ranchers negotiate prices with meatpackers. Analysts say the higher futures prices reflect optimism about the strength of the beef market as the industry heads into the spring grilling season.

  • Cattle futures closed on Monday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Chicago Mercantile Exchange

A major global marketplace for trading futures and options on a wide range of commodities, including live cattle and feeder cattle.

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The takeaway

The higher cattle futures prices to start the week suggest the beef industry is optimistic about demand heading into the spring, which could lead to higher retail beef prices for consumers in the coming months.