Front month cattle futures climbed back from midday losses and posted gains in most contracts. October fats were 2 cents lower, but the other contracts gained 2 to 45 cents. Feeder cattle futures closed 15 cents lower in September, but 10 to 57 cents higher through Nov. The August 4 CME Feeder Cattle index was $140.60, 10 cents higher on the day. In this morning’s online auction from FCE, all but one pen was sold. One TX pen went for $99.75, but the other sales were $100. Sales outside of the FCE were reported at $99-$100 in TX this afternoon. There were also bids of $160-$162 for northern trade in the beef. Beef exports in June were an 11 year low for the month, as just 183.3 million lbs were shipped. That was also 3% below May’s 50 month low for beef exports. Due to technical issues, the Wholesale boxed beef prices were not released this afternoon. In the AM report, Choice was $203.66, and Select was $191.0l. USDA revised Tuesday slaughter lower. The WTD cattle slaughter under federal inspection was estimated at 346,000 head through Wednesday. That is down 9,000 wk/wk and 15,000 head from last year.

--- provided by Brugler Marketing & Management