Markets in the United States faltered this week. While prices hit a high two weeks ago, this week they settled $7–$8 lower than last week. Unsurprisingly for the time of year, packers have cut kills this week, but that wasn’t enough to support the choice cutout, which dropped $6.50. While the U.S. experienced reduced prices,… Read More
Category: Meat Markets
Kent Bacus, executive director, government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, hasn’t had a dull moment in the last few weeks. He’s not had much sleep either. That’s not surprising, as any time there is a change in government leadership, his department is going to be busy. Add in a change from a Democrat… Read More
A strong cattle market depends on many factors, all of which play a role in ensuring producers’ long-term success. While beef demand in the United States is the highest it has been in the last 40 years, and retail prices have risen 4.6 per cent annually over the last 25 years, producers still face a… Read More
The U.S. and Canadian cow-herds are both at record lows, at a time when cattle prices are reaching record highs. The market signal to build the herd is there; however, the reality of realizing strong income selling at these prices and several years of drought means ranchers have been in sell mode, not build. That… Read More
Coming off some near-month contract highs of $200-/+ it’s no surprise to see futures falling as the week closes out, but cash cattle in the south ticked higher as they caught up to northern prices this past week (Check out the related story on cattle futures here). The cutout did show signs of weakening in… Read More
There’s been no avoiding the talk of tariffs in the weeks leading up to the inauguration of President Trump and his subsequent pledge to implement 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico on February 1st. New data from RealAgristudies confirms and quantifies the level of concern in Canada’s agriculture sector. The results are based… Read More
It was a very lofty week for live cattle futures, as February and April contracts crossed $200 per contract for the first time. Driven by tightening supplies and strong demand by consumers around the world, beef has seen exceptional price appreciation. “Cash cattle markets traded above $200 average last week for the first time ever,”… Read More
Strong and high prices across the board was the story in the cattle markets this week. In the southern U.S., trade remains steady at $2.01. Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Exchange highlights that this is the first time she has reported prices at this level on the Beef Market Update. Nebraska markets are steady to… Read More
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… Read More
2024 will go down as a year of market demand that was stronger than could have ever been anticipated. This exceptional demand helped to drive the smaller supply of beef to reach record prices. In this last episode of the Beef Market Update for 2024, Anne Wasko of Gateway Livestock Exchange reflects on the past… Read More