Cattle Falling on Thursday, with Wholesale Beef Weakness

The article reports a bearish session for U.S. cattle markets on Thursday, with live cattle futures lower. It says live contracts fell by $1.45 to $2 so far that day, while cash sales included $403 dressed in the north and live trade at $255–$256, with southern trade starting at $255. Feeder cattle futures were down $1.585 to $1.70 across nearby months, and the CME Feeder Cattle Index dropped 41 cents on June 30 to $376.99. The market is expected to observe the July 4 Independence Day holiday on Friday, creating a three-day weekend. USDA export sales for 2026 totaled 126,062 MT for the week ending 6/25, with shipments at 128,967 MT, both reported as calendar-year highs. Wholesale boxed beef prices were also lower, with Choice down $3.61 to $387.65 and Select down 49 cents to $369.20. Federally inspected slaughter for Wednesday was estimated at 110,000 head.