Live cash cattle trade saw increases in value for the week. Trade in the northern and southern plains were up $2 for the week, closing respectively at $187 and $184. Live cattle futures closed modestly lower for the week across the front three months of trade, varying from $1.90 to $2.55 lower.
Stocker and feeder cattle trade saw a slight variability in the marketplace as well. The national average for stocker steers settled $3.67 higher for the week at $320.40, with trade varying from steady to $6 higher. The national average price for feeder steers was $2.95 higher, closing at $259.62. Trade was $2 lower to $6 higher. Feeder cattle futures closed the week from $5.10 to $5.80 lower across the front three months of trade.
Boxed beef cutouts were lower for the week. The Choice cut out closed at $294.20 for the week — $2.94 lower from week opening. The Select cutout was down $1.07 for the week, settling at $287.65. The Choice/Select spread settled at $6.55 for the week, narrowing by $1.87.
The cutter cow cutout was $0.20 down for the week at $296.66. Slaughter cow trade varied from $4 lower to $2 higher.
Total red meat production for last week was estimated at 1,046.9 million lb. This was 1.1% higher than a week ago and 0.6% higher than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was 1.1% lower compared to last year at this time. Hot carcass weight data from last week averaged 919 lb., compared to 922 lb. week prior and 902 lb. last year.
