Cattle feeders knew there was a good chance that last week’s market would not be what many wanted, and it did not disappoint. Packers needed few cattle for another shortened harvest week and were able to keep the market headed South. The bulk of the cattle that traded in the South were at $135 with a few bringing $134. The only brighter light came at the end of the week with one packer willing to give some $136 on a hand full of cattle.
Feeders in the North had the same struggles in the market, too. Most of the live trade was around $135 and dressed trade mostly in the mid $210’s.
Live cattle should be poised to make another run starting this week. Packers will be buying for normal harvest hours, which should put most packers in the situation of needing to buy cattle. Cattle feeders will likely price cattle more aggressively if the board continues its run that began on Friday.
Brad Hulett is Director, Customer Development & Regional Manager, Kansas, at Consolidated Beef Producers , Inc.
