Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
Beef
Negotiated sales in the Northern U.S. were mostly $203 to $205/cwt and $200 to $201/cwt in the South last week. Packers appeared to be on pace to top last week’s estimated harvest of 589,000 head which was 83,000 more than the previous week. Harvest schedules were impacted by winter weather last year when 545,000 head were harvested. Higher wholesale prices have spurred the increase in live prices, although it should be noted that middle meats have lost ground while the end primals have increased. This reflects ground beef demand. The Choice Carcass value last week rose $4.45 to average $329.03 with strength carrying over into this week. The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report saw USDA raise expected beef production for 2025. Beef production is still estimated to be 4.4% less than 2024, however. USDA also raised the estimated average price of a beef breed steer from $191 to $196/cwt for 2025. November beef exports increased 10% year-over-year while value climbed 11%. For January through November, exports increased 5% in value from the same period in 2023, despite a 1% decline in volume. Beef export value equated to $428.70 per head of fed cattle harvested in November, 13% higher than a year ago and the highest since June.
High Choice and Prime Beef
High Choice and Prime beef breed steers brought $192-$202/cwt with some packages selling from $202-$211/cwt. Choice steers and heifers ranged from $185-$192/cwt. Holstein steers were higher. High grading steers brought $168-$177 with reports of some packages topping $182/cwt. Lower grading steers brought $142-$168. Silage-fed, under-finished or heavy dairy breed steers brought $76-$142/cwt. Dairy x Beef steers were higher, bringing $148-$194/cwt. Some beef type crossbreds sold to $200/cwt and higher. Cows were steady. Most of the cows brought $89-$115/cwt with some to the mid $120s. Lower yielding cows brought $60-$88/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $60/cwt. Dairy breed bull calves were steady, selling from $200-$400/head with some heavier, well-managed calves selling to $775/head. Dairy breed heifer calves were higher, bringing $200-500/head. Beef and Beef Cross calves were steady, selling to $1,000/head. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $15.Â
