Consistent beef demand, current and expected tighter supplies of fed cattle have pushed the currently-listed futures prices to consistent life-of-contract high levels. Looking back at earlier years, most live cattle futures prices peaked in mid- to late-2014 with the February 2015 contract topping out at $171.83. Most of this past week the April 2024 contract has been above $172. Thus, if it seems like prices are high, it is because they are high.
Generally, the prices are at or near contract highs for this time of year across available months. Or it is not usual to be able to lock in…
