Front month live cattle futures gave back their midday gains and closed mixed. Feb and April were down 15 to 17 cents, but the summer months were up as much as 72 cents. Feeders also gave back midday gains, but were still 20 to 92 cents in the black at the close. The 1/29 CME Feeder Cattle Index was 41 cents stronger at $136.43. Last week’s cash cattle trade was mostly $2 higher wk/wk at $113 live, and $5 higher compared to the previous week for dressed deals mostly near $178. USDA’s estimate for Monday’s federally inspected cattle slaughter is 117k head. That is up from 115,000 last Monday, but down from 120k the same day last year. 

--- provided by Brugler Marketing & Management