# Pete's Comments: Cautious optimism | Western Livestock Journal

> Pete Crow reports fed cattle trade was slow, with the average near $168 live and $265 dressed, and packers buying only dressed cattle due to mud. Packers are cutting slaughter and margins are around $90 per head, while the futures market has strengthened.

- Date: 2023-03-31 · published 2023-03-31T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: market · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/5603-pete-s-comments-cautious-optimism-western-livestock-journal
- Commodities: [Live Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/LCATTLE.md)

## Why it matters

Reduced packer slaughter and rationing of supplies support fed cattle prices, and expected spring seasonal strength, with supplies trending below prior years, favors higher cattle prices.

## Read by commodity

- LCATTLE: bullish ▲

## Sources

- wlj.net: https://www.wlj.net/petes-comments-cautious-optimism/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.