Agricultural News
Higher Cash Cattle Trade This Past Week- Even as Wholesale Beef Slipped Lower
Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:29:03 CST
This past week, we saw higher cash cattle prices even as the spot trade in beef was falling some $6 per hundredweight- basis the choice cutout value. According to Ed Czerwin with the USDA's Market News office in Amarillo, the spot wholesale boxed beef trade saw big offerings and moderate demand. The choice-select spread has narrowed substantially over the last month, going from $18 at the beginning of December to $8.50 by the end of this last week.
On the cash cattle trade- finished cattle were $2 to $3 higher than a week ago, with prices in the southern plains at $123, while Nebraska ended up ranging from $124. to $124.50. Czerwin points out that the narrowing choice-select spread benefits Nebraska cattle price premiums, as they have a higher percentage of choice cattle coming out of their lots.
Average carcass weights came in at 1255 in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle feedlot region this past week, down from 1266 pounds per carcass a year ago- suggesting we remain current in cattle marketings as we begin 2012.
You can hear the full audio summary of this past week from Ed Czerwin- including wholesale, finished cattle, yearlings and cattle futures trade- click on the LISTEN BAR below.
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