The National Direct cutter cow prices have been above $80 per cwt for three weeks and show no signs of slowing down.
Cull cow values continue to add to already high levels as beef cow slaughter levels crater. National beef cow slaughter has been down more than 10% in the last three weeks as U.S. spring calving is under way.
Southern Plains slaughter cow prices have escalated substantially increasing from below $55 per cwt at the start of 2023 to hitting $85 per cwt last week . Southern Plains cull cow prices had been trailing the national cutter cow prices, but last week’s strong rally put these two prices on par with each other.
The National Direct cutter cow prices have been above $80 per cwt for three weeks and show no signs of slowing down. Prices began the year in the high $60s and more than 25% above a year ago. In the last several weeks, prices have been closer to 15% above a year ago and are providing a great option to aid cash flow for producers that are ready to send cows to market.
Prices may ease closer to a year ago once spring calving has wrapped up, but we anticipate that cull cow prices will not drift lower than a year ago. Beef cows slaughter is expected to pick back up later this year.
Source: Daily Livestock Report - Steiner Consulting Group - Full Article
