What time do Feeder Cattle futures close?
Isabella Ramos
Updated on April 28, 2026
Feeder Cattle Futures
| Feeder Cattle Futures Contract Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Trading Hours | Monday 9:05 a.m. Central Time/CT-Opening. At 4:00 p.m. CT on Monday- Thursday, the markets halt and restart at 8:00 a.m. CT on the next morning. Friday 1:55 p.m. CT-Close |
| Minimum Price Fluctuation | $.00025 per pound ($12.50 per contract) |
How much does a cattle futures contract cost?
The tick size is $0.00025 per pound or $10 per contract for Live Cattle and $12.50 per contract for Feeder Cattle….#2 – Cattle futures contract specifications.
| Live Cattle | Feeder Cattle | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Size | 40,000 pounds | 50,000 pounds |
| Price Unit | Cents per 100 pounds | Cents per 100 pounds |
How does the cattle futures market work?
Cattle futures contracts are legally binding agreements between a buyer and seller for the delivery of cattle at a set date. Cattle futures contracts, Varilek explains, allow producers to lock down a price in advance instead of being at the mercy of where the prices are at the time of sale.
Why is feeder cattle more expensive than Live Cattle?
Feeder cattle typically need to gain more than 500 pounds before they reach slaughter weights, so corn prices have a big impact on feeder cattle prices. Live cattle, on the other hand, are ‘finished’ products that are ready for sale to slaughterhouses.
What is the extended limit price for Live Cattle futures?
Expanded Price Limits
| Commodity | Expanded Price Limit |
|---|---|
| KC HRW Wheat | $0.75 |
| Lean Hog | $0.07 |
| Live Cattle | $0.075 |
| Lumber | $45.00 |
What is the extended limit price for live cattle futures?
How many pounds are in a live cattle contract?
40,000 pounds
Each Live Cattle futures contract represents 40,000 pounds with a minimum price fluctuation of $. 00025 per pound, or $10 per tick.
Where can I trade cattle futures?
the Chicago Mercantile Exchange
Live cattle futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
What is the difference between live cattle and feeder cattle?
Feeder cattle are weaned calves just sent to the feedlots (about 6-10 months old), and live cattle are cattle which have attained a desirable weight (850-1,000 pounds for heifers, and 1,000-1,200 pounds for steers), to be sold to a packer. The packer slaughters the cattle and sells the meat in carcass boxed form.
How do futures work. live cattle?
Compared to traditional investments, with live cattle futures you can trade outside of the traditional market hours associated with equities and take advantage of trading opportunities regardless of market direction. Live cattle futures also provide the ability to trade with greater leverage and allow a more efficient use of trading capital.
What are live cattle options?
Options are divided into two classes – calls and puts. Live Cattle call options are purchased by traders who are bullish about live cattle prices. Traders who believe that live cattle prices will fall can buy live cattle put options instead. Buying calls or puts is not the only way to trade options.
What are feeder cattle futures?
Feeder cattle futures allow traders to be a part of an all-encompassing market that includes price demand for feed grain and the cattle themselves. It can also allow traders to address price risk among those involved in the trade of feeder cattle and to assess supply and demand of cattle, feed, and for both the current and future outlook.
What is the definition of live cattle?
Live Cattle Meaning: In commodity market terminology, Live Cattle refers to cattle industrially-raised for beef production from the calf stage until they reach between 600 to 800 pounds. At this point, they are considered Feeder Cattle and are taken to feedlots to continue the fattening process.
