Live Cattle Futures open higher

Live Cattle Futures opened higher this morning , February Live Cattle is up 0.60 at 165.65 and April Live Cattle is up 0.32 trading at 164.50. March Feeder Cattle is up 0.65 at 216.32. The near term weather outlook indicates below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation . Beef prices yesterday were up 0.85 in the middle of the day. Weekly U.S. beef export sales for the week were 7,000 tonnes, down 0.7% from last year's levels. Slaughter was higher than expected yesterday at 116,000 head. Traders should expect pre-holiday trading today and tomorrow.