Week ending March 29, 2024

This week, cash prices for all classes were lower, as well as for corn. Trade in the South was $2 lower on fat cattle at $186, with northern trade being $1 lower at $189. Live cattle futures closed at $2.50 to $3.30 lower and carcass weights remained the same. On the national average, feeder cattle were $0.44 lower at $259.49 with trade mostly $4 lower to $1 higher. The stocker market was also lower by $0.72, trading at $324.36 with a range of mostly $6 lower to $2 higher.

The Choice cutout was $4 lower at $306.72 while the Select cutout was $1.96 higher at $303.43. The Choice/Select spread was narrower by $5.96 from the previous week with a $3.29 difference.

Slaughter cows were up, trading at $2 to $6 higher. Total meat production was lower by 3.4% from a week ago.