There are some years that start off slowly when it comes to the cattle markets, however 2025 is off to a great start with prices up across the board in the U.S.
The Choice cut-out has been driving some of that, Anne Wasko with the Gateway Livestock Exchange explains in this first episode of Beef Market Update for the 2025 year. The Alberta cattle market is telling a similar story with dressed cattle being $10 higher than last week, says Wasko.
With a new year comes predictions for what might lie ahead. Wasko predicts that when it comes to the supply side, the USDA report and CanFax are likely to report smaller cow numbers, resulting in a smaller calf crop and ultimately smaller beef production. How much smaller will depend on heifer retention, Wasko adds. The supply side also includes demand, and if the market can maintain stable demand, she counts that as a win.
There are some big ‘ifs’ when it comes to predictions for 2025, says Wasko. Those include possible tariffs from the incoming Trump administration, and of course weather, but when it comes to the supply and demand side, Wasko is feeling good about it.
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