Beef cattle
” data-image-caption=”
Beef cattle
” data-medium-file=”https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/shutterstock_176515739-scaled-e1671558643727-300×251.jpg” data-large-file=”https://www.midwestfarmreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/shutterstock_176515739-scaled-e1671558643727-1024×858.jpg”>
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
Retail beef prices were higher in August. The all-beef average price was $9.18/pound, and that was 28 cents higher than July. Choice beef averaged $9.85/pound, up 16 cents. Early week expectations were for cash cattle bids to be lower, although asking prices were initially higher. The cutout value continues its seasonal decline. The Choice cutout was $398.53 on Monday, making it $16.91 lower than its peak of $415.41 on August 29. The cutout fell through the $395 level of resistance this week, continued to move lower, and was $388.18 on Wednesday. Fed steer dressed weights are 20 pounds heavier than a year ago and fed heifers are seven pounds heavier than last year. Heavier cattle have helped overall beef supply given the lower supply of cattle. Year-to-date cattle harvest is 1.555 million head fewer than last year, with beef production 4.3% lower. Non-fed cattle harvest is still well below last year, causing 90% trimmings that are used for ground beef and other products to remain at record highs.
Last week’s estimated harvest of 561,000 head was 74,000 more than Labor Day week and 63,000 fewer than last year. Cows made up about 90,000 of the total. Packing plant utilization is estimated to be 80%, serving as another indicator that cattle supply is tight. Farm Journal’s 2025 State of the Beef Industry survey found that 72% of respondents are optimistic about the future and 47% of cow calf producers plan to increase herd numbers over the next five years.
Top Quality
Top quality steers and heifers were $2-$3 lower, bringing $222-$245/cwt, with some to $247/cwt. Choice steers and heifers ranged from $208-$221/cwt. High grading Holstein steers were $1-$2 lower at $192-$220/cwt, with some higher. Lower grading steers brought $168-$191/cwt. Silage fed, under finished, or heavy dairy breed steers brought $90-$167/cwt. Dairy Beef cross steers were $1-$3 lower, bringing $178-$232. Cows were mixed. Most cows brought $110- $146/cwt, with a few higher. Lower yielding cows brought $60-110/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $60/cwt. Dairy breed bull calves were higher, selling from $700-$1,200/head. Dairy breed heifer calves brought $300-$700/head, with some higher. Beef and Beef Cross calves were steady, selling from $700 to $1,700/head. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $60.
