– Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

FED CATTLE
Fed cattle traded $2 to $3 lower on a live basis compared to last week with live prices mainly between $182 and $184 while dressed prices were mainly $290 to $291.

The 5-area weighted average prices thru Thursday were $182.69 live, down $2.64 compared to last week and $290.62 dressed, down $2.03 from a week ago. A year ago, prices were $142.82 live and $228.85 dressed.

With the finished cattle market trading around $180, the futures market has the live cattle market moving to the low $190’s in April. This is certainly an attainable price, but it would seem wholesale beef prices would have to push higher for the packer to make any money at that price. Similarly, if live cattle reach that level, one would think that would put a few more dollars on feeder cattle. The one fact about this market is that Continue reading Weekly Livestock Comments for September 1, 2023 →