Fed Cattle
Consumer demand for livestock products continues to be important in determining the pressure on livestock prices in the coming months.
The semiannual cattle inventory report from USDA confirmed that beef cow expansion is continuing.
Beef and fed cattle prices drop from last week.
Beef imports are up, while exports have fallen.
Live cattle prices were up $2 to $3 from the previous week.
Cattle prices fall, while beef prices improve.
Grilling season tends to bring on high beef prices, and this May was record breaker.
Cattle prices are up from last week, but aren’t as strong as earlier prices this year.
Cattle markets held steady to stronger as the seasonal bump in demand from Memorial Day, Father’s Day and 4th of July lies ahead.
The May WASDE gave its first forecast of 2016 beef production and prices.
USDA’s April cattle on feed report said the number of steers on feed was up 5.4% at the start of April while the number of heifers in large feedlots was down 10.1%.
Cattle market fundamentals may remain favorable, but April’s expected rally has fizzled. Both feeder and fed cattle traded significantly lower this week, with cash fed cattle prices now $9 lower than just three weeks ago.
It may be likely that the spring calf market has peaked.
The spring cattle rally stalled this week as cowboys and packers search for signs supporting ideas the market will conform to seasonal trends.
The spring cattle market rally was beginning to bloom this week, with yearling feeder cattle trading firm to $5 higher and instances of $6 to $8 higher.
Environment and feed availability key factors to increase
Retail beef prices were record high for the third consecutive month during February.
Beef prices went down while cattle prices rebounded.
Winter weather has been a factor in beef and cattle prices lately, but it didn’t keep the market down for boxed beef this week.
The past week of poor weather has kept the beef market downs.
Expansion of the beef herd looks to continue while beef production will see a marginal slide.
The picture being painted for 2015 is a market drop off in cattle demand and beef production.
Demand for grass cattle has helped keep the price of weaned calves high.
Record high beef and fed cattle prices are still the norm.
The average weight of cattle slaughtered in the United States is increasing in 2014, as rising prices for cattle and beef, coupled with declining feed costs, have induced growers to feed cattle for longer periods.