Cattle Futures Struggle to Recover After Losses

Live cattle and feeder cattle futures close lower despite some late-week gains

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:34pm

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A geometric abstract illustration using overlapping triangles and rectangles in shades of brown, tan, and olive to conceptually represent the volatility in the cattle futures market.Cattle futures struggle to regain footing after a week of losses, reflecting broader uncertainty in the beef industry.Edinburg Today

Live cattle futures closed lower on Friday, with the April contract down $1.82 this week. Cash trade picked up, with sales at $248 across the country, though prices were $1 weaker in the North. Feeder cattle futures also closed lower, with the April contract down $2.82 this week. The USDA's Cattle on Feed report showed March placements down 7.67% from a year ago, while marketings were 5.5% lower.

Why it matters

The cattle futures market is a key indicator of the health and direction of the beef industry, which is an important part of the U.S. agricultural economy. Fluctuations in cattle prices can impact ranchers, feedlots, processors, and consumers, making this a closely watched market.

The details

Live cattle futures saw some strength off their lows on Friday but still closed down 22 to 87 cents, with the April contract down $1.82 for the week. Cash trade picked up, with $248 sales across the country, though prices were $1 weaker in the North. The Friday Fed Cattle Exchange online auction saw 571 of 1,222 head sell at $248. Feeder cattle futures were $1.57 to $2.85 lower across the board on Friday, with the April contract down $2.82 for the week. The CME Feeder Cattle Index was down $1.42 to $377.67 on April 16.

  • The USDA's Cattle on Feed report was released on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The USDA broke ground on a sterile fly facility in Edinburg, TX that is expected to open in November 2027.

The players

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture, the federal agency responsible for developing and executing policies related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and related issues.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The cattle futures market continues to face challenges, with both live cattle and feeder cattle contracts closing lower this week. This reflects broader concerns about the health of the beef industry, which will be important to monitor going forward as factors like supply, demand, and government policies continue to evolve.