According to beef grading data released by USDA, the percent of beef grading Choice and Prime hit record highs in the first weeks of 2022. Specifically, for the week ending 5 February, the combined total was 85.27 percent. For January, the average was 84.15 percent. Heavy, long fed cattle and good weather conditions certainly helped boost beef quality. The bigger story, however, is the historical context of beef quality. Looking back at the first five weeks of the year, the increased quality in beef has been remarkable. From 2011-2013, the five-week average was 67.38 percent; since 2019 the five-week average has been above 82 percent.
With all the discussion over meat inflation, this general trend of increase in beef quality...
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...
