The following report is by DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist Jeff Swenson. This market update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry, as well as USDA reports.
Fed cattle prices at auction markets were sharply higher to open this week. Negotiated trade developed early as well, with packers looking to get beef in the pipeline for the upcoming grilling season.
Wholesale prices were mostly steady last week with the Choice beef cutout averaging $333.48, but finishing higher on Friday and jumping $6.29 on Monday of this week to $342.77.
Last week’s estimated harvest of 555,000 head was 21,000 fewer than the previous week and 59,000 head fewer than a year ago. USDA released both a Monthly Slaughter report and the 2024 Livestock Slaughter Summary last week. The total cattle harvest of 2.48 million head was 1% less than March 2024. The average live weight of cattle harvested for the month was 1,426 pounds, up 34 from last year.
March beef production totaled 2.15 billion pounds, 2% higher than last year. Beef production in 2024 was slightly below 2023 at 27 billion pounds, and harvest was 3% lower at 31.8 million head.
Commercial harvest in Wisconsin was 6.5% lower than 2023, totaling 1,225,100 head. The average live weight of cattle harvest in Wisconsin during 2024 was 1,408 pounds, slightly above the national average of 1,399 pounds. There were 39 Wisconsin slaughter establishments under federal inspection in 2024, compared to 35 in 2023. The number of state-inspected slaughter establishments remained steady at 83.
Prices
High Choice and Prime beef breed steers were $1-$3 higher, selling from $198-$217/cwt with some selling to $220/cwt and above. Choice steers and heifers ranged from $190-$198/cwt. Holstein steers were $1-$2 higher. High grading Holstein steers brought $180-$195, and steers with an overnight stand sold up to $199/cwt with a few reports of $200/cwt. Lower grading steers brought $155-$179. Silage-fed, under-finished or heavy dairy breed steers brought $83-$154/cwt. Dairy x Beef steers were steady, bringing $155-$200 with some to $215/cwt.
Cows were fully mixed. Most cows brought $105-$132/cwt with some to the high $140s. Lower-yielding cows brought $65-$104/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $65/cwt.
Dairy breed bull calves were steady, selling from $400-$600/head with some heavier, well-managed calves selling to $1,000/head. Dairy breed heifer calves were higher, bringing $200-$650/head with a few to $1,000. Beef and Beef Cross calves were steady, selling from $700-$1,000/head with a few to $1,400. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $50.
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