Cattle Markets Finish 2024 Strong

The livestock prices bounced higher over the past 12 months. February live cattle rose more than $20 per hundredweight. January feeder cattle are up over $38 and February lean hogs are $10 higher than a year ago. The cattle futures are being driven by cash cattle prices. The average price of an 800-pound steer during 2024 is $247 per hundredweight, up nearly 15 percent from last year.