Daily Market Highlights

Despite sharply lower outside markets, a bounce higher in grain prices and the ongoing slower beef packing pace, cash cattle and futures prices held their own last week.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was mostly inactive on light demand through Friday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week, live prices were steady to $1 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $137, $1-$2 higher in Kansas at $137. Prices were steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $137-$138 and $1 lower in the western Corn Belt at $137. Dressed prices were steady at $218.

Cattle futures leaked lower Friday amid stagnant cash prices and bearish outside markets.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 63¢ lower (25¢ to $1.07 lower), except for unchanged and 5¢ higher in the back two contracts. Week to week, they closed mixed, from an average of 19¢ lower in the front four contracts to an average of 52¢ higher.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was 57¢ lower Friday afternoon at $292.41/cwt. Select was 15¢ higher at $282.33. Week to week, though, Choice was $8.10 higher and Select was $8.36 higher.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week was 636,000 head, which was 18,000 head more than the previous week, but 26,000 head fewer than the same week last year. Estimated year-to-date total cattle slaughter of 1.87 million head is 161,000 head fewer (-7.9%) than last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production is 147.5 million lbs. less (-8.6%) at 1.57 billion lbs.

Net U.S. beef export sales were 12,800 metric tons for the week ending Jan. 13, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report. Sales were primarily for China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan.

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Based on weekly auctions monitored by Cattle Current, calf and feeder cattle prices trended widely mixed last week. Impaired travel conditions due to winter weather and wobbly futures prices applied pressure, while the optimistic outlook ahead provided lift, especially for grass-suited cattle.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 90¢ lower (52¢ to $1.65 lower). Week to week, they closed an average of $1.82 lower through the front five contracts and then unchanged to $1 higher.

Although soybean futures closed lower Friday, on likely profit taking, South American weather and geopolitical tensions continue to provide lift.

Soybean futures closed mostly 6¢ to 11¢ lower except for fractionally higher in a few contracts. Week to week on Friday, however, they closed an average of 35.4¢ higher.

Corn futures closed 2¢ to 5¢ higher through Jly ’23 and then fractionally higher. They closed an average of 12.5¢ higher through the front six contracts week to week on Friday.

Exports continued to add lift to grain prices, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report. For the week ending Jan. 13.

Net U.S. wheat export sales 44% more than the previous week and 62% more than the prior four-week average. Net U.S. corn export sales were up noticeably from the previous week and up 48% from the prior four-week average. And, Net U.S. export soybean sales were 9% less than the previous week, but 12% more than the prior four-week average.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed sharply lower Friday, led by tech stocks, with continued pressure from treasury bond yields, inflation and pending monetary tightening.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 450 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 84 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 385 points.

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Markets will likely view the latest monthly Cattle on Feed report negatively, with placements significantly higher than average expectations.

Feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity placed 1.96 million head in December, which was 110,000 head more (+6.0%) than a year earlier. Average expectations were for an increase of 2.5%. Placements were the highest for the month since the series began in 1996.

In terms of placement weights, 50% went on feed weighing less than 700 lbs. (26% less than 600 lbs.), 40% weighing 700-899 lbs. and 10% weighing 900 lbs. or more.

Marketings in December of 1.86 million head were 4,000 head more (+0.21%) than the previous year, which was in line with pre-report expectations.

Cattle on feed Jan. 1 of 12.04 million head were 70,000 head more (+0.58%) more than a year earlier and the second highest for the date since the series began in 1996. Heifers and heifer calves on feed (4.68 million head) were 2% more year over year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are steady to $1 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $137and $1-$2 higher in Kansas at $137. Prices are steady to $1 higher in Nebraska at $137-$138. Although too few to trend, there were a few live trades in the western Corn Belt at $137, which was $1 lower. Dressed prices are steady at $218.

Cattle futures softened Thursday after follow-through support early in the session.

Live Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 17¢ lower in the front five contracts; unchanged to an average of 14¢ higher the rest of the way.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 37¢ lower, except for unchanged to 75¢ higher in the back three contracts.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.38 higher Thursday afternoon at $292.98/cwt. Select was $1.75 higher at $282.18.

The average dressed steer weight the week ending Jan. 8 was 928 lbs., according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection Report. That was the same as a week earlier but 5 lbs. heavier than the previous year. The average dressed heifer weight was 851 lbs., which was 4 lbs. lighter than the previous week and the same as a year earlier.

Weather in South America and tension between Russia and Ukraine continued to dominate grain market commentary Thursday.

Soybean futures closed 27¢ to 34¢ higher through the front four contracts and then mostly 9¢ to 15¢ higher.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 4¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices rallied early in Thursday’s session but gave up the gains and more by the end of the day as investors come to grips with inflation and monetary tightening.

Seasonally adjusted initial unemployment insurance claims were 286,000 for the week ending January 15, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That was 55,000 more than the previous week’s revised level. The four-week moving average was 231,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous week’s revised average.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 313 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 50 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 186 points.

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Retail beef prices moderated the last couple of months but continue at inflationary levels.

“December beef prices, all fresh and Choice, both declined for the second month in a row from record levels set in October. In December, the all fresh beef price was $7.35/lb., down 2.7% from the record price but 18.0% higher than a year ago,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC). “The December Choice beef price was $7.66/lb., down 3.0% from the October record price but 21.8% above a year ago. The round and sirloin in December were $7.34 and $11.05/lb., respectively, which was the third highest price for both cuts. Ground beef prices moved slightly lower from the prior month to $4.60/lb., which was the fourth highest on record and 16.5% above the prior year.”

In the latest Livestock Monitor, LMIC analysts explain the Food Consumer Price Index (CPI) in December was 6.3% higher year over year, the steepest annual increase since October 2008. The overall CPI was 7.0% higher, the most in about four decades.

“The Meat CPI rose 14.8% from a year ago, which slowed slightly from the prior month’s rate but is still at levels only seen during the pandemic and the late 1970’s,” LMIC analysts say.

The LMIC folks add that December pork prices were $4.74/lb., which was 15.0% more than a year earlier. The broiler composite retail price was record high at $2.22/lb., which was 10.4% more than the prior year.

Improving packer production — 117,000 head Tuesday — helped boost Live Cattle futures an average of $1.11 higher on Wednesday.

The uptick in Live Cattle, helped boost Feeder Cattle futures an average of 73¢ higher, except for 50¢ lower in spot Jan, despite surging Corn futures prices.

Grain futures surged on Wednesday, led by soybeans on weather concerns in South American and wheat based on mounting tension between Russia and Ukraine.

Soybean futures closed mostly 18¢ to 30¢ higher. 

Corn futures closed mostly 7¢ to 11¢ higher. 

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light to moderate demand in the Southern Plains and Nebraska through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

So far this week, live prices are steady to $1 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $137, $1-$2 higher in Kansas at $137. Prices are steady in Nebraska at $137 and in the western Corn Belt at $138. Dressed prices are steady at $218.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $2.11 higher Wednesday afternoon at $291.60/cwt. Select was $2.04 higher at $280.43.

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Major U.S. financial indices continued to step lower Wednesday amid worries about inflation, higher input costs and higher interest rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 339 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 44 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 166 points.

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USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) increased the projected annual feeder steer price (750-800 lbs., Oklahoma City) for this year to $160/cwt., in the latest monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook. That’s $1 higher than the previous month’s estimate and would be $13.05 more than last year’s annual estimate. ERS analysts note the feeder steer price for the week ending Jan. 10 was $156.65/cwt., up 14.2%, or $19.13.

Feeder steer prices are projected at $159 in the first quarter, $156 in the second quarter, $160 in the third quarter and $165 in the fourth quarter.

On the other end of the scale, the five-area direct average fed steer price in December was $30.31 more (+27.8%) than a year earlier at $139.36/cwt. From August through December the average price was $14.91 (+12.0%) more than the same period a year earlier, according to ERS. The trend continued into the new year with the average price the week ending Jan. 9 up $27.14 (+24.4%) from a year earlier at $138.41.

As mentioned in Cattle Current recently, based on expected continued packer demand strength, ERS increased the forecast annual five-area direct average fed steer price for this year to $136.75/cwt.

The average fed steer price was forecast at $139 in the first quarter, $136 in the second quarter, $134 in the third quarter and $138 in the fourth quarter.

Keep in mind the more optimistic price projections come with slightly higher expectations of beef production.

“Given the anticipated rise in fourth-quarter net placements, fed cattle marketings and fed cattle slaughter expectations are raised in the second quarter, and coupled with a stronger expected pace of marketings in the second half of the year, the beef production forecast is raised for 2022. The forecast for 2022 beef production was raised to 27.165 billion lbs., up 165 million lbs. from last month,” say ERS analysts.

Uncertainty about the pace of packer production continued to weigh on Live Cattle futures Tuesday, as wholesale beef prices continue to climb for the same reason. Sharply lower outside markets added to bearish sentiment.

Live Cattle futures closed an average 37¢ lower.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.63 higher Tuesday afternoon at $289.49/cwt. Select was $1.34 higher at $278.39.

Feeder Cattle futures drifted lower with the lack of support from the Live side. They closed an average 62¢ lower (20¢ lower at the back to $1.25 lower at the front).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light to moderate demand in Nebraska through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few transactions to trend, early trade was steady at $137/cwt. on a live basis and $128 in the beef.

Elsewhere, trade ranged from mostly inactive on light demand to a standstill.

Last week, live prices were at $136-$137 in the Texas Panhandle, $135-$136 in Kansas and $138 in the western Corn Belt, where dressed trade was at $218.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed sharply lower Tuesday as investors fretted over anemic bank earnings and higher treasury bond yield rates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 543 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 85 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 386 points.

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Hay production and stocks continue lower, according to the most recent USDA Crop Production  report.

All hay stocks Dec. 1 of 79.0 million tons was 5.0 million tons less (-6.0%) than the same time a year earlier.

“Drought stricken Western states saw the most notable declines in hay stocks,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center, in the latest Livestock Monitor (LMIC). “Oregon, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Arizona all posted declines in hay stocks over 40% from the prior year. Minnesota was down 35% while Wyoming, Utah, and California reported declines between 20%-27%. Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska all posted 4%-28% increases from a year ago.”

In terms of production, LMIC analysts explain, all hay acres in 2021 declined 2.9% to nearly 50.7 million acres, which was the lowest since 1974.

“Alfalfa hay prices have been over $200 per ton for the last five months while other hay prices have averaged in the upper $140-per-ton range for the last several months,” say LMIC analysts. “Although recent alfalfa and other hay prices are not at record levels, they are still near some of the highest on record. Hay supplies will continue to be lower, especially in the Western U.S., and hay prices are expected to remain elevated which will likely limit livestock producer profitability in the near term.”

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were too few transactions to trend.

Last week, live prices were at $136-$137/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $135-$136 in Kansas, $137 in Nebraska and $138 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $218.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $3.55 higher Monday afternoon at $287.86/cwt. Select was $3.08 higher at $277.05.

Futures and equity markets were closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

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When Jan. 1 cattle inventory numbers are released by USDA at the end of this month, odds are they will show continued contraction of the U.S. beef cow herd; the degree is up in the air, though.

“The general feeling among analysts seems to be that the herd likely decreased 1.5-2.0% in 2021, with some possibility that the decrease was over 2%,” said Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University in his mid-January market comments, “The level of beef cow slaughter in 2021 was up 9.1% year over year, leading to a culling rate of 11.44% for the year, the highest since 2011. In 2011, the beef cow herd decreased 2.04%. However, the net change in the beef cow herd in 2021 also depends on what happened with beef replacement heifers.”

At the beginning of last year, beef replacement heifers represented 18.7% of the beef cow herd, according to Peel. 

“This level of replacement heifers indicates neither significant herd liquidation nor does it suggest aggressive expansion,” Peel says. “In the last two decades, the beef replacement heifer percentage has varied from a low of 16.6% in 2011 (liquidation) to a high of 21.0% in 2016 (expansion) and has averaged 18.2%.”

Last year, Peel explains the inventory of replacement heifers was higher than in 2011, as was the inventory of heifers calving.

“This likely means that some of the additional cow culling in 2021 was offset by more bred heifers entering the herd,” Peel explains. “The heifer calves portion of the replacement heifers from one year ago may well have been diverted to feeder markets but many of the sizable inventory of bred heifers likely entered the herd somewhere. All of this discussion is complicated by the drought conditions in 2021, which impacted what producers had to do as opposed to what they would like to do.”

Most likely, Peel says the inventory of beef replacement heifers will be significantly lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from very limited on light demand to a standstill through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were too few transactions to trend.

For the week, live prices were $1-$2 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $136-$137/cwt. and $135-$136 in Kansas. They were $1-$3 lower in Nebraska at $137 and steady to $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $137-$138. Dressed trade was $2 lower at $218.

Week to week through Thursday, the five-area direct average steer price was $2.00 lower on a live basis at $136.58/cwt. The average price in the beef was $2.00 lower at $217.99.

Estimated total cattle slaughter last week was 621,000 head, just 1,000 head more than the previous week and 31,000 head fewer than the same week last year.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 59¢ higher, except for unchanged and 37¢ lower in the back two contracts, supported by climbing wholesale beef prices.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.84 higher Friday afternoon at $284.31/cwt. Select was $1.21 higher at $273.97.

Feeder Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed, from an average of 23¢ lower to an average of 5¢ higher with pressure from front-month Corn futures.

Corn futures closed fractionally higher to 8¢ higher in the front six contracts, and then mostly 5¢ to 6¢ lower. 

Soybean futures closed 8¢ to 13¢ lower. 

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Major U.S. financial indices closed mixed Friday with primary pressure apparently from lower than expected earnings for bank stocks and less retail growth last month. 

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for December 2021, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $626.8 billion, a decrease of 1.9% from the previous month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 200 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 3 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 86 points.

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“Average returns to cattle feeding in the Southern Plains, as calculated by LMIC (Livestock Marketing Information Center) jumped to $200 per steer in December, capping off the year with two months of returns well over $100. This boosted the 2021 average for the year solidly in positive territory, about $40 per head for the year,” say LMIC analysts in the latest Livestock Monitor.

Positive returns stemmed from the significant rally in fed cattle prices, given the increased input costs.

“LMIC assumes a six-month feeding window for a 750-lb. steer. Feeder cattle averaged $143.35/cwt. in June. LMIC estimated total production costs for feeding those animals increased 32% from last year (excluding cost of the feeder), from just under $500 in December 2020 to over $600 in December of 2021. Over that same time period the value of that fed steer rose 26%.”

Heading into 2022, LMIC analysts note that increasing feeder cattle prices will challenge cattle feeding returns, but they expect returns to be mostly positive.

For recent perspective, LMIC estimates a fed steer breakeven price of $133.03/cwt. for steers placed in December weighing 700-800 lbs. and costing $161.42 (Dodge City).

“Currently, LMIC forecasts for the Apr-May-Jun quarter are above that level at $135-139/cwt., but the summer quarter is below that level at $126-$131. It seems likely that cattle feeding returns will likely be positive for most of 2022, but that there may be some negative months in the third quarter that will keep the annual average in check,” LMIC analysts say.

Feeder Cattle futures gained Thursday, closing an average $1.33 higher, helped by declining front-month Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures edged higher, supported by climbing wholesale beef prices, despite the sluggish packing pace. They closed an average 40¢ higher, except for unchanged in the back contract.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $2.93 higher Thursday afternoon at $282.86/cwt. Select was $1.78 higher at $272.76.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand to a standstill through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. There were too few transactions to trend.

So far this week, live prices are $1-$2 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $136-$137/cwt. and $135-$136 in Kansas. They’re $1-$3 lower in Nebraska at $137 and steady to $3 lower in the western Corn Belt at $137-$138. Dressed trade is $2 lower at $218.

Corn futures closed 3¢ to 11¢ lower through the front four contracts, and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher. 

Soybean futures closed 11¢ to 26¢ lower through the front six contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 3¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Thursday with most of the pressure in tech stocks.

Despite strong quarterly corporate earnings reports, weekly jobless claims came in more than expected.

The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment insurance claims was 230,000 for the week ending Jan. 8, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That was 23,000 more than the previous week. The four-week moving average increased, too.

Although less than some feared, another closely-watched inflation barometer underscored the run-up in prices.

The Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand increased 0.2% in December, seasonally adjusted, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rise followed advances of 1.0% in November and 0.6% percent in October. On an unadjusted basis, final demand prices moved up 9.7% in 2021, the largest calendar-year increase since data were first calculated in 2010.

The PPI measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output.

Prices for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services rose 0.4% in December, following a 0.8% increase in November. In 2021, the index for final demand less foods, energy, and trade services moved up 6.9%, following a 1.3% advance in 2020.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 176 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 76 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 381 points.

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USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) estimates global beef production this year at 58.2 million metric tons (mt) in the latest Livestock and Poultry World Markets and Trade. That’s slightly more than projected in the previous quarterly report (Oct.). It would be 585,000 mt more than 2021 (+1.0%).

“Brazil beef production is lowered 2% for 2021 due to disrupted sales to China in the fourth quarter. In September, Brazil reported detection of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), causing China to temporarily restrict beef imports, leading to delayed slaughter of cattle over this time period,” according to the report. “In Australia, 2022 production is higher than previously forecast with herd rebuilding well underway and some slaughter deferred in December under adverse weather impacting transportation.”

FAS analysts note China’s beef supply is expected to be down nearly 1% this year with steady imports but lower projected domestic production. “Imports continue to make up an increasing share of consumption as the Chinese diet evolves and as domestic product struggles to compete on both price and quality,” they say.

In the meantime, net U.S. beef export sales for the week ending Jan. 6 were primarily to Japan, Mexico, South Korea, China and Egypt, according to the weekly U.S. Export Sales report.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was slow on light demand in Kansas through Wednesday afternoon, with live trade $1 lower than the previous day and $3 lower than the previous week at $135/cwt.

Although too few transactions to trend, dressed trade in Nebraska was $2 lower at $218. Live prices there last week were $138-$140.

Trade was limited on light demand in the Texas Panhandle, where live prices last week were $138 and in the western Corn Belt where prices were $138-$140. Dressed trade in the western Corn Belt last week was at $220.

Softer cash prices in the North, after weakness in the South, helped pressure Cattle futures Wednesday.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 62¢ lower (10¢ to $1.35 lower).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 55¢ lower (17¢ to $1.10 lower), except for unchanged to 37¢ higher in the back three contracts.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $1.71 higher Wednesday afternoon at $279.93/cwt. Select was $2.35 higher at $270.98

Soybean futures closed mostly 10¢ to 13¢ higher, likely supported by the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher to 6¢ higher, except for 1¢ to 2¢ lower in the front three contracts.

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Major U.S. financial indices managed to eke out gains Wednesday, despite confirmation of the steamiest inflation in about four decades.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5% in December on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.8% in November, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 7.0% before seasonal adjustment, the largest 12-month increase since the period ending June 1982.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 38 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 13 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 34 points.

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USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) increased the 2022 average expected fed steer price $2 to $137/cwt., compared to the previous month’s projection, in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). For reference, the projected annual price for 2021 was $122.40.

Average prices are forecast at $139 in the first quarter, $136 in the second quarter, $134 in the third quarter and $138 in the fourth quarter.

That’s with beef production this year forecast at 27.17 billion lbs., which would be 785 million lbs. less (-2.8%) than last year.

Total red meat and poultry production is projected at 106.67 billion lbs., which would be 168 million lbs. less (-0.16%) than last year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was very limited on light demand in the Southern Plains through Tuesday afternoon. Early live sales were mostly $1 lower in the Texas Panhandle at $137/cwt. and mostly $1-$3 lower in Kansas at $135-$137. 

Trade was mostly inactive on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Prices in those regions last week were $138-$140 on a live basis and $220 in the beef.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $2.18 higher Tuesday afternoon at $278.22/cwt. Select was $2.13 higher at $268.63.

Cattle futures found some traction Tuesday with support from higher outside markets and healthier looking packer processing, for a day at least.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 57¢ higher (10¢ to $1.15 higher), except for 67¢ lower in the back contract.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 52¢ higher (12¢ to $1.42 higher), except for 5¢ lower toward the back.

Corn and Soybean futures paddled in place ahead of Wednesday’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Soybean futures closed mostly unchanged to fractionally mixed after 1¢ to 2¢ higher in the front four contracts.

Corn futures closed mostly fractionally mixed.

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Major U.S. financial indices rallied back on Tuesday, supported by a slightly lower treasury yield rate and led by tech stocks as it appeared investors took advantage of the recent sell-off to take a stake.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 183 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 42 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 210 points.

CME WTI Crude Oil futures closed $2.63 to $2.99 higher through the front six contracts.

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“Cattle continue the move into the New Year with optimism,” says Stephen Koontz, agricultural economist at Colorado State University, in the latest issue of In the Cattle Markets. “Some related markets have shown short periods of weakness but the underlying perspective of a comprehensive look at cattle and beef markets is strength.”

Although prices were wobbly in recent days, Koontz points out, “The weekly five-area weighted average fed price fell to $138.41 in the second week of January, but this market peaked in the first week of December at $140.44, and the last time this market was in the $140s was the first week of May 2017. USDA Choice boxed beef cutout values were $262.14 for the second week of January, and this is down from the peaks in late August and early June approaching $350, but these are valuations from a market which was rarely above $250 outside of the pandemic shutdown period. Similarly, beef animal hide and offal values fell to $13.62/cwt. of live animal from $16 peaks, but these valuations have spent the last five years at or below $12.”

Koontz adds any weakening in consumer retail prices for animal protein is from record-high levels.

“These high retail prices — albeit flawed, as in not capturing actual purchase price discounts — combined with strong volumes of protein production clearly indicate very strong demand by domestic consumers. We are approaching two-years into the pandemic and the overall domestic economy is clearly signaling strength.”

Nearer term, Andrew P. Griffith, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee, says in his weekly market comments, “Both slaughter cattle and lightweight calf prices would typically be expected to seasonally increase as the market approaches spring calving and the spring stocker grazing season, which seems certain to occur. However, the price increase is shaping up to be stronger than the seasonal tendency. Lightweight calf prices could easily push as high as $180/cwt. by the end of March and early April while slaughter cow prices may push the $75/cwt. price mark.”

Inflation jitters weighed on most commodities and outside markets Monday. Cattle futures were also pressured by recently slower packer processing and fears of back-logging cattle.

Live Cattle futures closed an average 86¢ lower (17¢ lower at the back to $1.47 lower toward the front), amid heavy trade .

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average 81¢ lower (5¢ lower at the back to $1.42 lower).

Negotiated cash fed cattle ranged from mostly inactive on very light demand to a standstill through Monday afternoon, with too few transactions to trend, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Last week, live prices were steady in the Texas Panhandle at $138/cwt., but steady to $2 lower at $136-$138 in Kansas and at $138-$140 in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was also steady to $2 lower at $220.

The five-area direct average steer price was $1.18 lower on a live basis last week at $138.41/cwt. The average price in the beef was 91¢ lower at $219.98.

Choice Boxed beef cutout value was $4.22 higher Monday afternoon at $276.04/cwt. Select was $5.40 higher at $266.50/cwt.

As for grains, Soybean futures softened to start the week with rains forecast for South America.

Soybean futures closed 21¢ to 26¢ lower through Nov ‘22 then 14¢ to 19¢ lower through Sep ’23 and mostly 4¢ lower across the rest of the board.

Corn futures closed fractionally mixed to 7¢ lower through May ’23 and then mostly 4¢ to 5¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices continued to sag Monday, beneath the weight of concerns surrounding higher forthcoming interest rates. However, they clawed back some earlier-session losses by the end of the trading day.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 162 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 6 points lower. The NASDAQ was up 6 points.

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“Beef and cattle trade is projected to be generally supportive in 2022,” says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his latest weekly marketing comments. “Beef exports are forecast to pull back slightly in the coming year but lower imports are also forecast. After more than a year of extremely rapid growth, the China/Hong Kong market for U.S. beef was growing at a slower pace at the end of 2021, but continued growth is expected and could push China/Hong Kong above South Korea or possibly Japan in the foreseeable future.”

As mentioned in the last issue of Cattle Current, U.S. beef exports continued at a record pace through November in terms of both volume and value.

Beef exports to China/Hong Kong were on pace to exceed $2 billion in 2021. Through November, exports to the region nearly doubled from a year ago to 219,264 mt (up 98%) and increased 125% in value to $1.9 billion, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Direct exports to China, bolstered by greatly improved market access achieved in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement, increased more than 400% from a year ago to 172,257 mt, valued at $1.43 billion (up 502%).

However, Japan will finish 2021 as the leading volume destination for U.S. beef exports, but is in a neck-and-neck race with South Korea on export value, according to USMEF data.

For January through November, U.S. beef exports to Korea were record high at 258,552 mt valued at $2.17 billion – up 13% and 36% respectively. 

During the same period, exports to Japan were 6% above last year’s pace at 297,354 mt. Export value reached $2.16 billion, up 22% and exceeding $2 billion for the first time since 2018. Growth to Japan has been in the chilled beef category and in tongues, skirts and other variety meat.

“Beef by-products, which are mostly exported, had significantly higher value in 2021, averaging nearly 54% higher year over year,” Peel says. “By-product value increases were led by sharply higher tallow prices, both edible and inedible, (up 71% and 95%, respectively) and hide prices (up 62% year over year). Prices were also higher for liver, tongue, tripe and cheek meat. Weekly by-product values peaked in November and declined to the end of the year but were still 51% higher year over year in late December.”