Cattle and Beef Outlook According to USDA, the average dressed weights of slaughtered cattle for both steers and heifers increased in September versus August but were lighter than September 2016. The average dressed weight for a steer was 896 pounds, up 12 pounds from August and down 9 pounds from a year prior, and that for a heifer was 819 pounds, 13 pounds heavier than August and 5 pounds lighter than a year ago.
Weights are down from last year despite feed remaining cheap. Strong domestic and export demand led to both aggressive buying from packers and marketing by feeders.
Pasture conditions have also played a role. Over the summer, wildfires moved some cattle to feedlots early. Meanwhile, improved winter pasture condit...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...