Monday Market Sentiment: 5-Area prices starts the New Year off bright
The year started bright for the 5-Area Accumulated Average Cattle Price, which jumped this week nearly $11 to hit $134.04.
Our panel of cattle industry experts who make up the Monday Market Sentiment were a little low, guessing an average price of $127.21 per hundredweight. This week, the panel is more optimistic with a guess of $135.52 per hundredweight.
Choice boxed beef jumped throughout the week, starting off on December 29 at $201.09 per hundredweight and increased to $218.06 per hundredweight by January 4. The largest increase was between Friday and Monday when prices jumped $5.47. The 27-day average price now rests at $201.97.
Choice primal rib saw a fall during the week. Last week, primal rib kicked off December 29 at $326.89 per hundredweight and ended Janurary 4 at $325.36 per hundredweight.
Each week the Cattle Trader Center, on behalf of Merck Animal Health, awards a $100 gift certificate from Cabela's to the industry leader whose forecast comes closest to the 5-Area cash trade number reported by the USDA. The most recent winner was Keith Bryant, Reeve Cattle Company.
Want to join the expert panel? Email your 5-area cash trade estimate by 10 a.m. CT each Tuesday to
along with your name and company affiliation.