Market Highlights: Cattle Prices Roaring Back

Market Highlights: Cattle Prices Roaring Back

FED CATTLE: Fed cattle traded $5 higher on a live basis compared to last week. Prices on a live basis were mainly $136 to $137 while dressed prices were mainly $215 to $216. The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $136.26 live, up $4.67 from last week and $215.14 dressed, up $6.44 from a week ago. A year ago prices were $122.82 live and $201.32 dressed.

Following three weeks of softer finished cattle prices, the market roared back to life in the holiday shortened week as packers look to fill orders. It is difficult to determine at this time if this is a brief shock to the market due to being short bought at the packer level or if retail demand is simply that strong. It is likely a factor of both situations and feedlot managers are happy to take advantage of the situation.

Last week’s release of the May cattle on feed report was somewhat bearish but cash trade yesterday was for the bulls in the market. The strong cash trade led to the futures market increasing the limit on Thursday with another strong outing on Friday. The positive futures price movement has done little to close the basis but time remains for narrowing the basis.

BEEF CUTOUT: At midday Friday, the Choice cutout was $245.35 down $0.23 from Thursday and down $0.09 from last Friday. The Select cutout was $217.95 up $0.73 from Thursday and down $0.33 from last Friday. The Choice Select spread was $27.40 compared to $27.16 a week ago.

Cutout prices held their own following Memorial Day. The week following a grilling holiday is usually a week to restock shelves which supports prices.

On the other side of the coin, it could mean prices for beef slide some next week, but any decline is not expected to be rapid or very large as Father’s Day and Independence Day (July 4th) are just around the corner. The summer grilling season generally results in strong beef demand and that is evident for Choice beef. The Choice Select spread continues to be at record levels demonstrating the demand for high quality beef by domestic consumers.

As the summer moves forward, some consumers will shift their focus to hamburgers and hot dogs which are hot items for America’s favorite pastime. The big question now is if consumers will continue to pay strong retail prices for beef. There is no reason to believe consumers will move away from beef items as their appetite for beef products is strong. There should be no fear in the beef market at this time as prices should remain seasonally strong.

OUTLOOK: Based on Tennessee weekly auction market price data, prices on all classes of cattle were fairly steady compared to a week ago. This is not surprising considering the holiday on Monday and futures prices for Tuesday and Wednesday trade, though strengthening, staying in the price range that had been set the past two weeks.

Thursday, however, was a different story. Feeder cattle futures on Thursday increased the limit of $4.50 which is a positive direction for producers looking to market cattle. This bodes well for summer feeder cattle prices that generally reach their apex between late July and early September.

The concern from producers is not achieving the highest price of the year which may occur on one specific day but rather hitting a period when prices are strong and profitable. The price strength in the market is also a positive sign for producers who decided to wean, precondition, and background fall born calves through the summer. Prices this spring were strong which could have deterred some producers from preconditioning calves and thus marketing fall born calves at weaning.

However, the futures market is offering favorable prices to market yearling cattle in August and September. There is no guarantee prices will remain this strong, but there is also no information suggesting prices should decline.

Thus, producers who are not willing to take on the risk of declining prices may want to consider price risk management strategies at this time. Alternatively, producers willing to take a few risk may want to sit tight to see what happens the next few days. Cattle markets never cease to be exciting and the summer market seems to be setting participants up for another ride.

Looking forward to fall marketing of spring born calves, producers with intentions of marketing calves this fall should consider setting a floor on intended marketings. Again, there is no guarantee of which way the price will move, but prices for the fall look very favorable at this point. Doing nothing is a decision, and it sometimes comes with an expensive price tag.

ASK ANDREW, TN THINK TANK: How does drought impact cattle prices? This is a tough question, but in the end it seems to have an easy answer. Drought can influence cattle prices in many ways but its influence is dependent on the length of the drought, the amount of area it covers, the number of cattle it influences, and the time of year. Additionally, the short term and long term impacts of drought on price are generally headed in opposite directions. With so many factors at play, how can the answer be simple? Weather is a key component to cattle production and drought is just one weather aspect. Similarly, cattle production is a large system and the impacts of drought can influence prices differently given different sets of circumstances in the larger system. Thus, a drought can impact cattle prices many different ways and it is all dependent on the current situation of the market. It is a simple answer to a complex question that provides very little information. If only there was a better answer! 

Please send questions and comments to agriff14@utk.edu or send a letter to Andrew P. Griffith, University of Tennessee, 314B Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996.

FRIDAY’S FUTURES MARKET CLOSING PRICES: Friday’s closing prices were as follows: Live/fed cattle –June $130.83 +3.40; August $126.05 +1.35; October $121.10 -0.05; Feeder cattle –August $158.73 +1.65; September $157.83 +1.50; October $155.70 +1.05; November $152.65 +0.38; May corn closed at $3.73 up $0.02 from Thursday.

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.