Weekly livestock market update
The 2025 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant application period is open until February 24; for more information, visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/MeatProcessorInfrastructureGrants.aspx. #
The cold temperatures that settled over most of the nation slowed cattle movement with some auction markets across the country canceling their regular sales. The estimated harvest last week was 561,000 head, 23,000 fewer than the week before and 47,000 fewer than last year. Year-to-date harvest is 8% below last year. Harvest this week is expected to trail last week’s total due to the weather. Negotiated trade was $4 lower last week. Wholesale prices were also lower with the Choice beef cutout value falling $7.32 to average $319.46. It appears the typical February slump in demand is upon us. Cattle have been current, but owners were holding out for higher bids early this week and that could cause supply to back up, although cold temperatures slowing feedlot gains could counter that. The latest USDA World Supply and Demand (WASDE) report raised expected 2025 U.S. beef production by 3%, based mostly on the resumption of feeder cattle from Mexico. If the projected increase in production materializes, 2025 beef production would still be 1.6% less than last year. USDA officials have announced they will not reimplement the import ban after a new case of New World screwworm was reported in Mexico on Tuesday. #
The pork cutout surpassed $100 for the first time since November 2024 and was $101.99 last Friday. All primals were under pressure by the middle of this week, however. Cash hogs were higher last week with a national base carcass price of $86.09. Prices were steady to higher this week even with lower wholesale pork prices. Estimated harvest last week was 2.540 million head, 2,000 more than the week prior but nearly 10,000 fewer than a year ago. Year-to-date harvest is 6% below 2024. The latest WASDE report predicts pork production this year to outpace 2024 by 2.7%. It is a topic that continues to be discussed, with some pointing to the current lower harvest numbers, the increase in feeder pig prices, and disease challenges as signs that hog supplies will remain lower than expected throughout the year. #
The lamb market stopped its recent skid with prices steady to $15/cwt higher last week. Lamb and mutton production has not varied much in recent weeks. Last week’s estimated harvest of 38,000 sheep and lambs was 1,000 head more than both the previous week and the same week last year. The lamb cutout value was up slightly at $456.74. Lamb features offered more ad space for loin and shoulder chops last week, although the retail activity index and feature rates were lower than the previous week. #
Frigid temperatures kept auction market runs light, resulting in higher prices for most classes of livestock. High Choice and Prime beef breed steers brought $195-$210/cwt with some higher. Choice steers and heifers ranged from $185-$194/cwt. Holstein steers were higher. High grading steers brought $173-$185 with reports of some to $190/cwt and a few higher. Lower grading steers brought $148-$173. Silage-fed, under-finished or heavy dairy breed steers brought $80-$147/cwt. Dairy x Beef steers were steady, bringing $155-$200 with some higher. Cows were mostly $3-$5 higher. Most cows brought $105-$133/cwt with some to the low $140s. Lower yielding cows brought $75-$105/cwt. Doubtful health and thin cows brought up to $75/cwt. Dairy breed bull calves were steady, selling from $200-$500/head with some heavier, well-managed calves selling to $800/head. Dairy breed heifer calves were steady, bringing $200-500/head. Beef and Beef Cross calves were steady, selling to $1,000/head with some topping $1,100. Light and lower quality calves sold up to $15. Shorn lambs brought $160 -$174/cwt with some light lambs selling to $220/cwt.
–Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
