Boxed Beef

– Brenda Boetel, Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Last week, effective January 4, 2021, the RMA began using new updated yields for the calculation of the beef cutout. The boxed beef cutout values for a carcass basis are calculated from the seven primal cut values, specifically the rib, loin, brisket, chuck, flank, round and short plate. The USDA determines an average percentage that each primal cut contributes toward the total retail beef from the carcass. The contribution percentage from primal to carcass yields is shown in the table below. These primal yields did not change in January.

When a sub-primal cut is produced from the primal cut, you also get other components. What changed in the boxed beef calculation is the percentage of different sub-primal components. The value of each primal cut is determined by a weighted average of the wholesale prices of the sub-primal cuts obtained in each primal cut. These changes in the sub-primal percentages affect the value for that specific primal. The changes to the sub-primal percentage weighting factors were minimal. For example, some middle meat cuts have a smaller impact now on the primal value, while top sirloin and tenderloin received slightly larger weighting factors.

Once the primal value is calculated from the sub-primal values; the seven primal values are then factored against their yield from the carcass to see the contribution toward the carcass cutout value. For example, the primal rib contributes 11.4% toward the entire carcass yield, and on Friday January 8, 2021 the choice primal rib value was $329.98. Thus, the value contribution toward the choice cutout value from the primal rib on Friday January 8 was $37.62 (=329.98 X 0.114).

The boxed beef cutout is important as it represents the estimated value of a beef carcass on a given day. The USDA periodically makes changes to the yield contribution to reflect changes in the industry cuts. Producers and retailers often look to this report to see how well boxed beef is moving and to hopefully provide some leverage in negotiations with packers. Packers can use the report to gauge how well their company is doing relative to an industry benchmark. Additionally, some grade and yield contracts are based off cutout calculations, formulations and yields.

Just as important as the actual value is the relationship between the various beef cutout values and the relationship between the beef cutout value and the reported load counts. Comparing the Choice to Select cutout can tell us the supply and/or demand of each grade. This spread has a seasonal relationship and typically becomes wider in summer and holidays as the demand for Choice beef increases.

Beef market trends can be further understood by looking at the changes in load volumes as compared to the changes in cutout values. If loads are increasing while values are decreasing, retailers may be promoting/discounting beef in order to get inventories under control.  Whereas if loads are increasing while values are increasing, retailers may be purchasing beef to fill their current needs. Small loads and declining prices usually indicate a lack of demand.

Since June 2020 the Choice/Select spread has been narrower than 2019, but wider than the 2014-2018 average. The year 2019 saw exceptionally strong spreads due to the limited percentage of cattle that were grading choice. Due to packer backups and changed demand, the 2020 spread was exceptionally strong in May, declined in June and has since mostly followed the seasonal trend. Since December, the Choice/Select spread has been wider than both 2019 and the 2014-2018 average.

*https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/USDADailyBoxedBeefRep…