Beef cattle
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Beef cattle
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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.
Cattle
The Choice beef cutout fell below $400 this week after rallying higher last week. The cutout averaged $394.71 last week, making it $6.92 lower. There is likely support at $392 and resistance at $412. This keeps wholesale and retail prices at current levels with potential for higher prices heading into spring. The March Food Outlook Price report indicated food in February was 3.1% higher than last year. February beef prices were 1.4% higher than January and were up more than 14% from February of last year. Projections for 2026 include a double-digit percentage increase in beef prices. Negotiated cattle trade was slightly higher last week with steady to higher prices projected for this week. Lean beef trim continues to bring a premium. The cutter cow carcass cutout value continues to work higher, averaging $348.92 last week, which was $38 higher than the first week of January. Ninety percent lean trim averaged $448.67 last week compared to $394.96 to open the year. Last week’s harvest was estimated at 520,000 head, 17,000 more than the previous week and 89,000 less than last year. While dairy cow harvest is higher than a year ago, cows made up just 18% of last week’s total. Workers remain on strike at the JBS packing plant in Greeley, Colorado. The strike is now in its third week. About 400-500 head are being harvested each week at the facility by non-union employees.
Fed Cattle and Top Quality
Fed cattle were steady to $4 higher. Top quality beef steers and heifers brought $225-$245/cwt. Mixed Choice and Select steers and heifers ranged from $212-225/cwt. High grading Holstein steers were steady to $2 higher at $195-$222/cwt. Lower grading steers brought $170-$194/cwt. Silage fed and under finished steers brought $90-$170/cwt. Dairy Beef cross steers were steady to $3 higher at $190-$235. Cows were mixed. Most cows brought $115-$155/cwt with a few selling into the mid $160s. Lower yielding cows brought $65-$115/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $65/cwt. Dairy breed bull calves were steady, selling from $700-$1,600/head with some higher. Dairy breed heifer calves brought $200-$800/head. Beef and Beef Cross calves were higher from $800 to $2,100/head. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $60. New crop lambs brought $3225-$255/cwt with some to $280/cwt.
