The fed cattle market in the South continued to inch higher last week. Most producers traded live cattle at $124, but the volume was limited due to the holiday-shortened harvest week.
Cattle feeders in the North kept their market mostly steady. Live cattle traded $126-$130 and most of the dressed trade was in the low $200’s.
Now that we have the holiday behind us packers should have a greater need for cattle than what we have seen for the last several weeks. This should help clean up some of the back log from the past several weeks. Prices should remain firm, with meat demand staying strong and the greater demand for exports due to issues in Brazil.
Brad Hulett is Director, Customer Development & Regional Manager, Kansas, at Consolidated Beef Producers , Inc.
