– David P. Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Cash fed cattle prices dropped dramatically last week to about $110 per cwt.  One of the prime movers in lower prices is the large year-over-year increase in cattle slaughter.  Total daily August steer and heifer slaughter is 15.9 percent larger than last year (through August 20).  Digging deeper in the data is even more interesting.  Steer slaughter is up 13.4 percent. Heifer slaughter is up a whopping 22 percent, compared to August last year.  The increase in steer slaughter suggests a rapid pace of marketings, perhaps providing Continue reading →