Marketing

Where’s the Ka-ching?

High fed-cattle prices but narrow margins — a few strategies to consider to protect your bottom line.

Looking back at late November of 2014, when the negotiated fed-steer price reached an all-time high $172.06 per hundredweight (cwt.), makes one wonder why today, at fed-steer prices at least $10 per cwt. higher, margins are still narrow. A 1,550-pound (lb.) fed steer is worth $155 more today than one finished in late November 2014.

Market Closeout

The future is bright.

I really like this time of year. Not only do you have opportunity to put 2023 to bed, but you have the promise of 2024. There is something exciting and invigorating about a new beginning. While this is a universal experience, it is especially true for ranchers, because there are so few clear beginnings.

As the U.S. beef cow herd declines, exports fall and imports increase.

Declining cattle numbers have led to a year-over-year decrease in beef production and higher wholesale and retail beef prices. Under those market conditions, beef exports are expected to decrease and beef imports should increase — exactly the outcome observed thus far in 2023.

December 7, 2023 | Vol. 15 : No. 12-A

Credit End Meats With CAB Value-Add

Chuck and round primals increasingly add value to the beef carcass.

We focused on fourth-quarter middle-meat demand as a beef price driver in the last edition of the CAB Insider. This is certainly the case in the current data, as rib and tenderloins are pricing near their annual highs. However, a look at annual price trends across the beef carcass shows increasing contributions to Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®)-brand premiums from both ends of the carcass.

Nine others punch their ticket to the semifinals.

After a day of competitive bid-calling in Paris, Ky., 10 more auctioneers advanced to the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. The qualifiers, led by Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio, will next compete in the semifinals, to be hosted at the Oklahoma National Stockyards in June.

In The Cattle Markets

Beef price action before Christmas.

While there have been some ups and downs, the Choice beef cutout has generally trended lower since it hit its peak in June. The weekly average peak in mid-June was $339.93 per hundredweight (cwt.), but the Choice cutout has averaged right at $300.00 per cwt. for the year, 13.6% more than last year.

ANGUS BEEF BULLETIN EXTRA