Feeder Cattle Surge Over $8 Higher as Grain Markets Climb
On October 6, 2026, November feeder cattle futures closed significantly higher, gaining $8.15 to reach $338.28 per hundredweight (cwt). December live cattle also saw an increase, up $4.13 to $224.10 per cwt, while December lean hogs declined by 58¢ to $70.38 per cwt.
Brian Grete, senior grain and livestock analyst with Commstock Investments, attributed much of the day’s move in feeder cattle to technical factors, noting that the market pushed above key resistance levels, triggering buy stops. Live cattle, though not as strong technically, also cleared important moving-average resistance, improving the outlook for this week’s cash fat cattle prices.
Grete also highlighted that the S&P 500 hitting record highs provided some psychological support to the markets. Meanwhile, grain markets saw gains across the board, with December corn up 10¾¢ to $5.08 per bushel, November soybeans rising 22¼¢ to $13.03 per bushel, and December wheat futures closing higher as well.
As of 2:32 p.m. CT, November crude oil was up 28¢ at $89.71 per barrel. The S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both posted significant gains, up 50.95 points and 255.49 points, respectively, ahead of 2:30 p.m. CT.