Jefferson City, MO- Friday February21, 2025 MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market
News
Missouri Weekly Direct Slaughter Cattle
Week to date: 160 Last Week: 240 Last Year 320
These prices acquired from Missouri producers, Trading as of this Friday
morning February 21, light trade this week with Flat dressed sales so far
this week 5.00 lower at 315.00, with grid dressed sales inactive as bids
are being passed. Negotiated cash trade so far this week has been light
with a few sales in the Southern Plains mostly 3.00-4.00 lower at 199.00
and a few dressed sales in the North, 5.00 lower at 315.00. The harsh
side of winter hit the Plains and Mid-West with frigid temperatures, snow
and wind. Last week’s weekly slaughter was only 561,000 that was one of
the smallest full week slaughter volumes in recent years. Last week’s
volume was down 23,000 from previous week and down 47,000 from a year
ago. This week’s estimated slaughter is in the 560-565,000 range. This
is not helping cash prices or the boxed-beef cut-out values from falling.
Comprehensive carcass weights the weighted average for both steers and
heifers rose 10 lbs last week to 929 lbs, but 54 lbs above last year at
this time. Slaughter reductions are expected to keep fed cattle trade on
the defensive. Choice boxed beef prices lost more ground this week which
is normal for February as it is not known as a beef month. This week on
Thursday Choice box-beef closed 1.26 lower at 312.63 with the Select
closing .58 cents lower at 308.18 with a Choice-Select spread at 9.45,
compared to last Thursday’s close with Choice at 317.40 and Select at
309.84. Slaughter Cattle under Federal inspection on Thursday was at
447,000, last week 454,000 and last year 470,000. The hide and offal
value from a typical slaughter steer on Thursday was 11.89 per cwt up .09
cents when compared to Wednesday’s value.
Live Sales:
Slaughter steers and heifers: (over 90 percent Choice)
(Note: Weighing conditions some plant delivered weights and some net
weights FOB feedlot after a 4 percent shrink.
Dressed Carcass Sales: Paid on Hot Carcass Weights) Delivered or Picked
up
Steers and Heifers (80 percent Choice) 4 loads Thursday Flat at
315.00.
Grid Dressed Sales: (over 80 percent Choice)
Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Perry, MO
Greg Harrison, Market Reporter