Cash cattle sold in the north at $104 to $107 per cwt, and $165 on a dressed basis with some up to $167, $3 to $5 higher, yet cattle in the south sold at $103, about $2 higher.
Wholesale beef prices have declined significantly since their spike into the low $230s after the Tyson fire. Choice boxed beef traded Friday at $212.58 per cwt., or $4.39 lower for the week. The Choice price has declined $11.27 per cwt. over the past two weeks. Select closed Friday at $189.86 per cwt., $1.86 lower than the previous week.
Feeder steers and heifers sold $4 to $8 higher at auctions in the North and South-Central regions, while Southeastern calves sold steady to $2 higher.
“Demand was much improved this week after last week’s bullish cattle on feed report confirmed much lower feedyard placements,” according to Agricultural Marketing Service reporters.
“Fairly large auction receipts across many states this week as this report has the largest auction receipts since week ending April 5, 2019,” AMS said. “Typically, there are some weeks that auction receipts get large through the summer as yearlings move off summer grass. Yearling feeder cattle producers feeling better about the market and willing to consign their cattle for sale. These yearling operators have been able to hold their cattle on grass as grazing has been plentiful and a lack of a killing frost in Northern areas have allowed yearlings to stay out on grass without losing pounds.”
AMS said consignments of spring-born calves have not “hit their stride yet, and demand has been moderate to good, especially for those calves on a vaccination program. Buyers are willing to take on non-weaned calves this time of year if those preweaning shots have been given. Non-vaccinated calves will see steeper discounts as the calendar moves along when hot days and cold nights make them that much higher risk.”
