Feeder cattle prices continue higher, but flooded out cow country impacts slaughter cow prices.

Ed Czerwien, Market Reporter

April 4, 2019

Solid prices continue for feeder cattle as they continue in their third week of higher prices, along with much larger volume than last year. Auction markets did see volume dip lower than the previous week, but prices were steady to $5 higher with the biggest price increases on the lighter weight stocker-type cattle. The heavier weight steers over 800 lbs. and heifers over 700 lbs. had the biggest numbers. Their prices were mostly steady to $1 higher.

There has been a tremendous movement of beef and dairy cows from the flooded areas directly to packing plants, which are having a tough time keeping up with harvesting all of these cows. That has really pushed prices lower the last two weeks. This is a simailar situation to what happens after hurricane disasters, too. The prices continued to slip a little lower after last week's big price drops.

 

About the Author(s)

Ed Czerwien

Market Reporter

Ed Czerwien is a market analyst in Amarillo, Texas. From the heart of Cattle Feeding Country, Ed follows the cattle and wholesale markets to keep beef producers up-to-date on the market moves that affect them. He previously worked with USDA as a Market News reporter. Ed is now semi-retired and continues to work with cattle trade analysis.

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