Livestock Analysis

Total beef cattle harvest last week was slightly larger than the prior week at 563,000 head, an increase of 2,000 head.

Decisions up and down the beef supply chain evolve around calculating costs and breakeven prices.

Now in mid-January, the cattle markets are showing exceptional optimism. Packers were actively bidding to capture spot market needs.

Calf and feeder cattle prices have been much more active in the past three weeks with two market-moving events, including precipitation in the central states and the temporary closure of the southern border due to screwworms.

Last week’s harvest averaged 100,000 with except of Veteran’s Day holiday. Feeder cattle demand elevated after widespread precipitation throughout much of the winter wheat grazing region.