Missouri Weekly Direct Slaughter Cattle Report- May 15, 2026

Week:  360    Last Week:  280    Last Year:  320

These prices acquired from Missouri producers, Trading as of this Friday morning May 15, trade so far this Friday morning is light to moderate with Flat dressed sales trading 5.00 higher early sales at 405.00, moving to 410.00 on Thursday afternoon. Grid dressed sales early week are trading at 408.00. It appears that the fed cattle market has not yet finished its race as early week sales on Tuesday of 260.00 in all regions were upped 5.00 on Wednesday to 265.00 with dressed sales ranging this week from 408.00-415.00. Last week's slaughter was 527,000, down 7,000 from previous week and 41,000 less than a year ago. Comprehensive carcass weights, the weighted average for both steers and heifers were at 953 lbs, up 5 lbs from previous week and 41 lbs above last year at this time. Even with the grilling season getting started, boxed-beef prices have struggled to trade higher looking at spring demand and along with the sharp rise in fed cattle prices boxed-beef is still looking for increases. There is a high abundance of high-quality grades of beef cuts as record levels of fed cattle are grading Choice and Prime has the Choice-Select spread this week inverted with Select closing 1.55 higher than Choice. Choice boxed-beef on Thursday retreated and closed 1.23 lower at 387.45 and Select gaining ground and closing .42 cents higher at 389.00 with a Choice-Select spread at (1.55). Compared to last Thursday’s close with Choice at 386.94 and Select at 384.42. Slaughter Cattle under Federal inspection on Thursday was estimated at 426,000, last week 422,000 and last year 460,000. The hide and offal value from a typical slaughter steer on Thursday was 14.70 per cwt up .68 cents when compared to Wednesday 's value.

  Live Sales: Slaughter steers and heifers: (over 90 percent Choice) No Sales 

  (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)    5 loads early Wednesday Flat 405.00, Thursday afternoon 410.00 Flat.

 Grid Dressed Sales:  (over 90 percent Choice)    3 loads Tuesday 408.00. 

Source:  MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service, Perry, MO         

         Greg Harrison, Market Reporter