Daily Market Highlights

Negotiated cash fed cattle sales were mixed on a live basis Thursday, compared to last week: steady in Nebraska at $119-$120/cwt., steady to $1 higher in the western Corn Belt at $115; steady to $5 lower in the Southern Plains at $115-$120. Dressed prices were steady to $12 lower at $178-$190.

Cattle futures closed mixed but mainly higher Thursday, bouncing back from early pressure.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ higher, except for 5¢ and 67¢ lower in near and away Oct, respectively.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mixed, an average of 99¢ higher across the front half of the board (45¢ higher to $1.47 higher in spot Aug) to an average 12¢ lower across the back half.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $8.21 lower Thursday afternoon at $369.56/cwt. Select was $6.11 lower at $344.09.

Corn futures closed 5¢ to 7¢ higher through May ’21 and then mostly 4¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Thursday, apparently mostly hamstrung by rising political tensions between the U.S. and China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 147 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 6 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 43 points lower.

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Recent slaughter data suggest the worst of COVID-19 packing disruptions may be over.

“For beef and pork, the plants are mainly back online, but are running at reduced capacity due to social distancing of workers, etc. Beef and pork are currently running at about 10% to 15% below last year,” says Jayson Lusk, agricultural economist at Purdue University, in his latest comments. “The worst of the disruptions occurred in late April and early May when we were running about 40% below last year, but significant improvements have been made since then.”

For perspective, the week ending May 2 might be the ebb in packing capacity, when USDA estimated cattle slaughter at 425,000 head, which was 36.8% less (-248,000 head) year over year. Actual cattle slaughter under federal inspection that week ended up 438,614 head, which was 34.8% less (-233,836 head).

By the week ending May 23, estimated slaughter of 555,000 head was 14.2% less (-92,000 head) than a year earlier. Actual slaughter data for the week wasn’t yet available.

There’s still an immense and growing backlog of market-ready fed cattle, but gains in packing capacity suggest it may prove to be less than originally anticipated.

In the meantime, longer-fed cattle are racking up the per-head tonnage.

The average dressed steer weight for the week ending May 16 was 901 lbs., which was 5 lbs. heavier than the previous week and 52 lbs. heavier than the same week a year earlier, according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. The average dressed heifer weight of 831 lbs. was 2 lbs. heavier than the previous week and 43 lbs. heavier than last year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade continued steady to unevenly steady Wednesday across a broad range: $120/cwt. in the Southern Plains and mostly $115 on a live basis in the western Corn Belt, but lower in Nebraska at $114-$115. Dressed sales so far this week are at $178-$190.

Cattle feeders consigned 1,164 head to Wednesday’s weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction–all from the Southern Plains. None sold.

Slaughter steers and heifers sold unevenly steady at Sioux Falls Regional in South Dakota, where 262 head of Choice 2-3 steers weighing an average of 1,411 lbs. sold for an average of $110.40/cwt.

Cattle futures closed higher Wednesday, maintaining strong gains from the previous session.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 70¢ higher (10¢ higher to $1.47 higher toward the front of the board). Spot June closed at $100.80, the highest level since the first part of March.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 66¢ higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $7.72 lower Wednesday afternoon at $377.77/cwt. Select was $9.82 lower at $350.20.

Corn futures closed fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher again Wednesday. Optimism included the fact that all 50 states are now open for business, to varying degrees.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 553 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 44 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 72 points higher.

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Customer transactions at major U.S. restaurant chains continued to improve slightly for the fifth consecutive week, according to the NPD Group.

Specifically, restaurant customer transactions for the week ending May 17 were 21% less than a year earlier, compared to a decline of 23% the previous week.

Transactions at major quick service chain restaurants, which represent the majority of restaurant transactions, improved by 1% week to week, to a decline of 21%, according to NPD’s CREST^®Performance Alerts.

Restaurant transactions at major full service chains were 49% less than a year earlier, which was 9% more positive than the previous week. The NPD folks say the lifting of COVID restrictions the previous week added 93,000 restaurant units, which helped bolster transaction improvement.

Transactions at full service restaurants in states where on-premise dining was permitted to reopen as of May 10 improved 13 percentage points in the week ending May 17, down 33% year over year, compared to a decline of 46% the prior week.

“The reopening of restaurant dine-in services across the country will certainly continue to help drive improvements, but it’s important to keep in mind that restaurant on-premise dining operations are not serving to full capacity because of safety protocols,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor. “Equally important to the industry’s recovery is the consumer’s comfort level with dining in at a restaurant now.”  

As for dining at home, according to NPD’s NET^®COVID-19 Pantry & Food Strategy Tracker, consumers reported that 63% of their eating occasions during the COVID-19 outbreak have been atypical, meaning they’re eating foods and beverages that are different from their normal routines.

The weekly weighted average live steer price (five-area direct) last week was $117.06/cwt., which was $4.75 higher than the previous week. The weekly weighted steer price in the beef was $3.70 higher at $183.35.

Higher outside markets, last week’s friendly Cattle on Feed report and recent cash strength helped lift Cattle futures Tuesday.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.06 higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.86 higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $11.25 lower Tuesday afternoon at $385.49/cwt. Select was $14.16 lower at $360.02.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 10¢ to 13¢ higher through Jan ’21 and then mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher. Support included announcement of new export sales to China.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Tuesday, buoyed by positive economic news as the domestic economy continues to reopen.

The closely watched Consumer Confidence Index® held steady in May, following the steep decline in April.

“Following two months of rapid decline, the free-fall in Confidence stopped in May,” says Lynn Franco, Senior Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “The severe and widespread impact of COVID-19 has been mostly reflected in the Present Situation Index, which has plummeted nearly 100 points since the onset of the pandemic. Short-term expectations moderately increased as the gradual reopening of the economy helped improve consumers’ spirits. However, consumers remain concerned about their financial prospects. In addition, inflation expectations continue to climb, which could lead to a sense of diminished purchasing power and curtail spending. While the decline in confidence appears to have stopped for the moment, the uneven path to recovery and potential second wave are likely to keep a cloud of uncertainty hanging over consumers’ heads.”

Also, sales of new single-family houses in April 2020 beat widespread expectations at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 623,000, according to estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. That was 0.6% more than the revised March rate, but 6.2% less than a year earlier. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 529 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 36 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 15 points higher.

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Feedlot placements for March and April were down a combined 867,000 head from the previous year, suggesting a significant decline in fed marketing, mostly in September and into October, says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his latest market comments.

“The delayed placements from March and April will show up starting in May, and will be heavier, but the delay will help feedlots have a chance to get current,” Peel says. “The feedlot industry will spend much of the summer working through the backlog of fed cattle but the hole from March and April feedlot placements should provide a marketing window to catch up by this fall if not before.”

Although average year-over-year fed cattle marketings declined an average of 6.4% for March and April combined, Peel notes, “The slowdown in April marketings and resulting backlog of fed cattle in feedlots would have been more severe without the strong March marketings that pulled some cattle ahead.”

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ended up mainly $5-$10 higher on a live basis last week at mostly $120/cwt. in the Southern Plains and at $119-$120 in Nebraska. Dressed trade was mostly $10 higher at mainly $190.

Cattle futures hovered Friday, amid light trade.

Live Cattle futures closed mostly narrowly mixed, from an average of 54¢ lower (5¢ to $1.10 lower in spot Jun) to an average of 16¢ higher.

Except for 7¢ lower in new spot Aug, Feeder Cattle futures closed unchanged to 7¢ higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.07 lower Friday afternoon at $396.74/cwt. Select was $8.35 lower at $374.18.

USDA estimated total cattle slaughter for the week at 555,000 head, which would be 56,000 head more (+11.2%) than the previous week, but 92,000 head fewer (-14.2%) than the same week a year earlier. Year to date, cattle slaughter of 12.11 million head is 893,000 head fewer (-6.9%) than the same period least year.

Corn futures closed fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ lower through Jan ’21 and then mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices basically tread water on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 8 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 6 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 39 points higher.

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Markets will likely view Friday’s monthly USDA Cattle on Feed report as neutral, with numbers about mirroring pre-report estimates.

For feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity, there were 1.43 million head placed in April, which was 410,000 head fewer (-22.26%) than the previous year. In terms of weights, 33.17% went on feed weighing 699 lbs. or less, 49.37% weighed 700-899 lbs. and 17.46% weighing 900 lbs. or more.

There were 1.46 million head marketed in April, which was 469,000 head fewer (-24.32%) than the previous year. That was about 1% more positive than pre-report estimates. April marketings were the least for the month since the data series began in 1996, according to AMS.

There were 11.20 million head on feed May 1, which was 607,000 head fewer (-5.14%) than the previous year.

In light trade on Thursday, negotiated cash fed cattle prices were mostly steady with the previous day’s higher prices: mainly around $120/cwt. on a live basis and at $180-$190 in the beef.

Recent strength in cash prices added firmness to Cattle futures Thursday, amid light trade.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 46¢ higher (7¢ to 92¢ higher).

Except for 2¢ higher in two contracts, Feeder Cattle futures closed unchanged to 37¢ lower.

On average, analysts surveyed by Urner Barry and reported by the Daily Livestock Report, expect April placements to be 22.9% less than a year earlier, April marketings to be 25.4% less and cattle on feed to be 5% less, for feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity. The monthly Cattle on Feed report is due out Friday afternoon.

Wholesale beef values continue to decline as packing capacity continues to return (see below).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $2.23 lower Thursday afternoon at $401.81/cwt. Select was $8.65 lower at $382.53.

The average dressed steer weight was 896 lbs. the week ending May 9, according to USDA’s weekly Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. That was 3 lbs. heavier than the previous week and 44 lbs. heavier than the same week last year. The average dressed heifer weight was 829 lbs., which was 3 lbs. heavier than the prior week and 35 lbs. heavier than the previous year.

Corn futures closed fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 11¢ lower through Jan ’21 and then mostly 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Thursday, with pressure including more political saber rattling between the U.S. and China, as well as continued massive unemployment claims.

The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment insurance claims for the week ending May 16 was 2.44 million, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That was a decrease of 249,000 from the previous week’s revised level.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 101 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 23 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 90 points lower.

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“The recent declines in the boxed beef cutout value coincide with continued improvement in processing totals,” says Josh Maples, Extension livestock economist at Mississippi State University, in the May 18 issue of In the Cattle Markets. “The Estimated Daily Slaughter report showed an estimate for last week at 499,000 head. While still 25% lower than a year ago, this would be a 10% improvement over the week prior. Perhaps more importantly, it would mark the second consecutive weekly increase after five straight weeks of declines. A continuing loosening of the logjam at the processing sector is critical to the cattle and meat sector and would support increased cattle slaughter and increased beef availability.”

Total cattle slaughter under federal inspection in April was 2.19 million head, which was 599,700 head fewer (-21.50%) than the previous year, according to USDA’s monthly Livestock Slaughter report (LSR). Of those, total fed steer and heifer slaughter of 1.65 million head was 552,500 head fewer (-25.04%).

On the other end of the trade, Maples notes the significant decline in boxed beef sales for delivery beyond 22 days.

Based on the weekly USDA National Comprehensive Boxed Beef Cutout report, Maples explains the average weekly number of loads sold during the past five weeks was 4,675, which was 32% less than the same time period last year. Negotiated sales for delivery within 21 days were 18% less, while negotiated sales for delivery at 22 days or more declined 64% and forward contract sales declined 65%.

Federally inspected beef production in April was 1.78 billion lbs., which was 452 million pounds less (-20.23%) than a year earlier, according to the LSR. Total federally inspected red meat production for the month of 3.81 billion lbs. was 696 million lbs. less (-15.42% ) than last year.

“Given the uncertainty about both available supply and expected demand, it is likely not surprising that sales for delivery further into the future have shown the biggest decline,” Maples says.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade picked up steam Wednesday in both volume and price. Live sales were steady to $10 higher at $120/cwt. in the Southern Plains and mainly $120 in Nebraska. Dressed sales were steady to $10 higher at mostly $180-$190 in Nebraska and at mostly $190 in the western Corn Belt.

Cattle feeders offered 2,782 head in the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction, but there were no sales.

Cattle futures ended lower, though, amid recently declining wholesale beef values and perhaps with some positioning ahead of the long weekend and Friday’s monthly Cattle on Feed report.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.20 lower (37¢ lower in spot Jun to $1.50 lower).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.42 lower ($1.42 lower in spot May to $2.92 lower).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.43 lower Wednesday afternoon at $404.04/cwt. Select was $2.31 higher at $391.18.

After 1¢ lower in the front two contracts, Corn futures closed mostly fractionally higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher through Aug ’21 and then mostly 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Wednesday, led by tech stocks, the recent resurgence in oil prices and, apparently, optimism as more states continues to ease COVID-19 restrictions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 369 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 48 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 190 points higher.

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U.S. restaurant chain transaction declines continued to improve for the fourth consecutive week (ending May 10) amid Mother’ Day and more states reopening.

Large chain restaurant customer transactions were down 23% compared to a year ago, improving from a 26% decline the prior week, according to The NPD Group (NPD). Large full service restaurant chain transactions were 39% more than the previous week, but still 58% less than a year earlier. Transactions at large quick service chain restaurants were 21% less than a year earlier; they were down 24% the previous week, according to NPD’s CREST® Performance Alerts.

As well, NPD’s ReCount® restaurant census estimates 19 states allowed some level of on-premise dining the week ending May 10. Some of these states never imposed restrictions, while some reopened in the past couple of weeks.

Tennessee and Texas are among the largest states for restaurant unit counts that lifted restrictions to on-premise dining in recent weeks. Customer transactions improved by 7 percentage points week to week in both states for the week ending May 10. Tennessee restaurant transactions are down 14% and Texas is down 18% compared to year ago.

“Permanent restaurant closures, economically distressed consumers, and the possibility of a second wave of virus cases still bring uncertainty; but at least for now, the recent run of weekly gains is encouraging,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor and author of Eating Patterns in America.  “The road back will be challenging and slow, but we’re headed in the right direction.”

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade continued to be light on Tuesday. The only established trend reported by AMS so far this week is mostly $180/cwt. on a dressed basis in the western Corn Belt. Although too few to trend, early live and dressed sales in Nebraska so far this week are at the top of last week’s range.

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Tuesday, amid sparse interest and direction.

Live Cattle futures closed from 30¢ lower to 22¢ higher, with open interest continuing to decline.

Except for 82¢ higher in spot May, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 39¢ lower, in light trade.

The most recent CME Feeder Cattle Index of $126.84 was the highest since the end of March.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $5.48 lower Tuesday afternoon at $409.47/cwt. Select was $6.00 lower at $388.87.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 2¢ lower through Mar ’21 and then fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Tuesday. Reportedly, pressure included a negative report about a potential COVID-19 vaccine, which helped lift stocks the previous day when initial test results were announced.

Investors also were assessing the latest economic projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

“After falling by 1.2% in the first quarter of 2020, real GDP is projected to contract even more sharply—by 11.2%—in the second quarter. At annual rates, those declines are equivalent to 4.8% and 37.7%, respectively,” according to the CBO’s Interim Economic Projections for 2020 and 2021. “Although the drop in output is acute, it has been partially blunted by past investments in information technologies (such as computers, software, and communications equipment), which have made it possible for a significant portion of economic activity to continue remotely. Before the pandemic began, almost 30% of workers reported that they could work from home…”

The report suggests the domestic economy will begin recovering during the second half of this year as concerns about the pandemic wane, state and local governments loosen stay-at-home orders, etc.

“The labor market is projected to materially improve after the third quarter; hiring will rebound and job losses will drop significantly as the degree of social distancing diminishes,” according to the report. “However, those improvements will not be large enough to make up for earlier losses. Compared with their values two years earlier, by the fourth quarter of 2021 real GDP is projected to be 1.6% lower, the unemployment rate 5.1 percentage points higher, and the employment-to-population ratio 4.8 percentage points lower. Inflation and interest rates on federal borrowing will remain relatively low because of subdued economic activity and weak labor market conditions through 2021.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 390 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 30 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 49 points lower.

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“It appears that the overall feed situation will be favorable and provide more flexibility for feeder and feedlot cattle operations,” says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his latest weekly market comments.

USDA projects corn production from the new crop at a record large 16 billion bu., in the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). USDA projects ending stocks to be 1.2 billion bu. more than last year, which would be the most since 1987-88. The WASDE 2020-21 season average corn price forecast is $3.20/bu., the lowest since 2006-07.

Hay stocks on farms as of May 1 were also 5.52 million tons more (+37.03%) than the previous year at 20.43 million tons, according to the most recent USDA Crop Production report.

“The Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) projects 2020 alfalfa hay production to increase 4.0%, resulting in larger ending stocks and season average prices down nearly 17% year over year to $150/ton,” Peel says. “Total other (non-alfalfa) hay production may decrease 1-2% in 2020 but a slight buildup of ending stocks is projected to push season average prices down fractionally to $132.50/ton…Regionally, the biggest concern is the Southeast with total May 1 hay stocks down 22.8% year over year (collectively) in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina and Tennessee.” 

As always, drought could change the outlook.

“A large area of low-level drought is building in the west from western Kansas to northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Some of the worst drought areas are in Colorado and surrounding regions and in Oregon. Drought in south Texas has improved somewhat in recent weeks but some drought continues along the gulf coast from Texas to Florida,” Peel says. “This is a critical growth period and any expansion of drought conditions may have significant implications for pasture and hay production in the West.”

More specifically, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor for the week ending May 12, Peel explains 17.42% of the country is in some level of drought (D1-D4). Another 16.89% of the country is abnormally dry (D0). So, 34.31% was abnormally dry or worse, compared to 30.78% a week earlier and 24.15% three months earlier.

Although too few to trend, early negotiated cash fed cattle prices on Monday continued at the higher levels paid in the north toward the end of last week. Live sales in Nebraska were at $119-$120/cwt. Dressed sales there and in the western Corn Belt were at $190.

Cattle futures closed higher Monday, extending the previous session’s minimal gains, helped along by continued cash price strength and significantly higher outside markets.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 87¢ higher (25¢ higher to $1.72 higher in spot Jun).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 94¢ higher (57¢ higher to $1.87 higher in spot May).

Wholesale beef values continued their expected, precipitous decline as packing capacity continues to expand ever so slowly.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $19.37 lower Monday afternoon at $414.95/cwt. Select was $24.19 lower at $394.87.

Corn futures closed mainly fractionally mixed.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 8¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed sharply higher Monday, buoyed by promising early test results of a potential COVID-19 vaccine.

That was despite Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s sobering comments made to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

“Available economic data for the current quarter show a sharp drop in output and an equally sharp rise in unemployment. By these measures and many others, the scope and speed of this downturn are without modern precedent and are significantly worse than any recession since World War II,” Powell explained. “Since the pandemic arrived in force just two months ago, more than 20 million people have lost their jobs, reversing nearly 10 years of job gains. This precipitous drop in economic activity has caused a level of pain that is hard to capture in words, as lives are upended amid great uncertainty about the future. In addition to the economic disruptions, the virus has created tremendous strains in some essential financial markets and impaired the flow of credit in the economy.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 911 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 90 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 220 points higher.

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“The buildup in fed cattle supplies that are market ready is expected to have a substantial and lasting effect on fed cattle prices,” say analysts with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). “Prices will remain low as the supply of market-ready cattle remains above the sector’s ability to process them, and the supply issue is expected to linger through 2021.”

Consequently, in the most recent monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, ERS lowered this year’s average price forecast for fed steers (five-area direct) to $104.08/cwt.: $118.32 in the first quarter; $99 in the second and third quarters; $100 in the fourth quarter. The projected annual average price for next year is $109.

Keep in mind the forecast runs counter to current cash prices, which appear to be supported by packers’ willingness to give back some of their margins.

For perspective on packing capacity, ERS estimated 40% of U.S. packing capacity went by the wayside since Mar. 28, as plants struggled with COVID-19 infections and new safety precautions to protect workers.

“The current situation does not allow for plants to easily make up for lost slaughter capacity given workforce challenges,” say ERS analysts. “Based on recent maximum slaughter levels for the second quarter, there is likely a significant shortfall in slaughter since it peaked the last week of March. As a result, feedlots are having to continue to feed their cattle longer, and this is likely to be an issue into 2021 as the industry works through the feeder cattle that are awaiting placement in feedlots.”

ERS estimated there were 20.54 million head of cattle outside feedlots Apr. 1. That was 657,000 head more (+3.30%) than the same time a year earlier.

As the backlog of market-ready fed cattle continues to grow and feedlot margins are squeezed, ERS expects feeder cattle prices to remain under pressure.

“Based on recent price data, the second-quarter 2020 feeder steer price was lowered by $2 to $121/cwt. The third-quarter 2020 price forecast was lowered $5 to $123 and the fourth-quarter 2020 price was lowered $17 to $118,” say ERS analysts. “As a result, this month’s annual price forecast for 2020 was $124.50/cwt., close to last month’s forecast. The price forecast for first-quarter 2021 is expected to remain relatively low at $125. Feeder steer prices are expected to improve in the second half of 2021 on increased demand. The 2021 annual feeder steer price is forecast at $131.50, more than 5% higher than 2020.”

Although too few to trend, negotiated cash fed cattle prices bounced higher on Friday at $120/cwt. on a live basis in the Southern Plains and at $119-$120 in Nebraska. Also too few to trend, dressed prices in Nebraska were at $190.

The five-area direct weighted average steer price through Thursday was $11.36 higher than the previous week at $111.40/cwt. The average price in the beef was $19.90 higher at $179.30.

Cash price strength helped lift Cattle futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 62¢ higher, (15¢ higher to $2.87 higher in spot Jun).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 41¢ higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $16.60 lower Friday afternoon at $434.32/cwt. Select was $18.34 lower at $419.06.

Corn futures closed mainly fractionally mixed.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Friday, after a volatile trading session, amid mixed economic data.

On the one hand, U.S. retail and food services sales plummeted 16.4% in April, compared to the previous month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Sales were 21.6% less than the previous April and worse than traders expected.

On the other, the closely watched Index of Consumer Sentiment from the University of Michigan edged higher month to month in May, up 2.6% to 73.7, but 26.3% below the previous year.

Pressure also included more political sabre rattling between the U.S. and China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 60 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 11 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 70 points higher.

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Beware kneejerk reactions.

That comes to mind as rhetoric grows for the government to mandate that beef packers buy a minimum percentage of their weekly needs in the spot cash market. Keep in mind that’s also equivalent to mandating that cattle feeders, collectively, sell a certain percentage of cattle in the cash market each week.

First, it was something called the 30-14 movement, advocating that packers be forced by the government to buy at least 30% in the cash market each week and that those cattle be delivered within 14 days.

Last week, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced a bill that would require packers buy at least 50% in the cash market each week, for delivery within 14 days.

Few would argue the value of deeper cash trade for the purposes of price discovery, especially in some regions, some weeks. Cash prices are rarely reported in Colorado, for instance, due to confidentiality rules attached to Livestock Mandatory Reporting (more later).

For perspective, over time, on average and nationally, figure 20-25% of all fed cattle trade in the spot cash market. Again, the percentage is miniscule in some regions some weeks.

Debate continues over just how much sustained cash trade in a particular region is required for effective price discovery. According to pioneering research conducted by Stephen Koontz, agricultural economist at Colorado State University a few years back–Price Discovery Research Project (PDRP)–the percentage varies by region.

The primary reason cash trade thinned over time is the increased use of what are termed alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs) for fed cattle. Think here of things like formulas and forward contracts.

In turn, there are several practical reasons more cattle feeders favored marketing more fed cattle via AMAs over time. Chiefly, it has to do with reducing transaction costs and the ability to differentiate cattle–and be rewarded or discounted–relative to specific packer demands. 

AMAs enabled the price incentives to differentiate beef products. In fact, some would say this ability to pull more beef through the system, more in line with consumer demand, was the cornerstone for turning the corner on consumer beef demand in the U.S. That was in about 1998. Before then, domestic consumer beef demand declined an average of 1% per year for two consecutive decades.

Add it all up, and Koontz says, “The use of forward contracts benefits those that use them $15 to $25 per animal. The use of formula arrangements benefits those that use them $25 to $40 per animal. Mandating the use of the negotiated cash market will have negative economic consequences commensurate with these amounts and to the extent of the mandate.”

That’s from a recent letter Koontz wrote to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). He clarified his position and research after some in the pro-mandate movement tried using his research to defend their stance.

“My research does examine the impact of declining negotiated cash trade on price discovery in regional and national fed cattle markets. And, it also attempts to make recommendations as to the needed volumes of cash trade for minimal and robust price discovery. But, my work does not recommend, and I do not support,

a mandate of a given percentage cash trade,” Koontz says. “The main issue I have with the policy proposal is that it would cost the cattle and beef industry millions and possibly billions of dollars per year. This is known from research in which I participated.”

The research Koontz refers to is the aforementioned PDRP, as well as the congressionally mandated USDA-GIPSA Livestock and Meat Marketing Study (2007), which examines price discovery and AMAs. He was lead economist for that study.

Bottom line, Koontz says, there are many ways to increase the volume of cash trade and cash trade data without government mandates. He outlined some of those in his PDRP. Some state organizations are exploring these alternatives and variations of them.

“While the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) believes and supports increasing price discovery through this greater volume of negotiated trade, we cannot support a government mandate,” explained Paul Defoor, TCFA chairman, in a recent letter to Congress. “Conversely, we are actively working to achieve a similar outcome through free market mechanisms.

“One such concept is a new marketing cooperative that puts small and large producers on equal footing to achieve the common goal of robust negotiated price discovery each week. Secondly, we have examined the viability of a ‘bid the grid’ concept on the transparent Fed Cattle Exchange Platform. Additionally, we are exploring options with an existing marketing cooperative that was created by TCFA in 2000, Consolidated Beef Producers, to increase negotiated trade.”

Likewise, Koontz explains some state associations are looking at ways to pay market makers for providing cash trade, which is a public good. Those who trade in the cash market enable price discovery. Those who trade cattle outside of the cash market benefit from the discovered cash prices–it’s typically the root of AMAs–but do nothing to help discover the price or reward those who do.

“Many asset markets do this (market makers),” Koontz says. “Industry participants work together to create and compensate a pool of cash market traders that are discovering price, are good at this service, and willing

to do it within their business model and for the benefit of the industry. It is one means to solve the public good problem of not enough quality price discovery. It would be less costly than a mandate and open to changes in how the industry does business in the future.”

Far as that goes, adjusting the rules of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act–up for reauthorization this fall–would provide more cash trade data. If interested, you can read the specifics of those guidelines below.

“Joint research by Kansas State and Iowa State Universities shows that expanding the reporting regions would reduce the incidence of non-reporting, due to confidentiality,” Koontz explains. “…many of our price reporting problems are due to the confidentiality requirements that were not part of the original act.”

“Any solution must not restrict an individual producer’s freedom to pursue marketing avenues that they determine best suit their business’ unique needs,” said Todd Wilkinson, in response to the bill introduced by Grassley and Tester. He ranches in South Dakota and serves as Policy Division Chair for NCBA.

“Government mandates, like that being proposed by Senator Grassley, would arbitrarily force many cattle producers to change the way they do business,” Wilkinson explained. “We will continue to work toward a more equitable solution and invite Senator Grassley, and other lawmakers interested in this conversation, to join us in the search for an industry-led solution based in free market principles.”

Cattle futures closed lower on Thursday for the second consecutive session.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.51 lower, except for 25¢ higher in spot Jun,

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.77 lower.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $15.07 lower Thursday afternoon at $450.92/cwt. Select was 16¢ higher at $437.40.

Corn futures closed fractionally lower across the front half of the board, and then mostly unchanged to fractionally higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Thursday, helped long by higher crude oil prices, and despite another 2.98 million initial jobless claims, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 377 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 32 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 80 points higher.

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Lingering tailwinds from government relief payments and the lifting of dine-in restrictions in states like Georgia, Florida, and Texas helped to improve U.S. restaurant chain transactions the week ending May 3, according to The NPD Group (NPD).

Total restaurant transactions were 26% less than a year earlier, compared to declines of 32% and 43% the previous two weeks. That’s from NPD’s CREST® Performance Alerts, which provides a rapid weekly view of chain-specific transactions and share trends for 70 quick service, fast casual, midscale, and casual dining chains.

More specifically, transactions at quick service restaurant chains were down 24% in the week ending May 3 versus a year earlier; they were down 30% the previous week. For the same two weeks, full service restaurants transactions declined 67% a 71%, respectively.

Restaurant dine-in restrictions were lifted for nearly 192,000 restaurant units or about 29% of all units since May 1, based on an analysis using NPD’s ReCount® restaurant census. Keep in mind that required social distancing limits can reduce dining room capacity by as much as 75% in some areas.

“Many restaurant operators have weighed the value of limited operations versus the cost of opening, health risks, or other factors, and chose to remain closed or continue with a takeout-only model,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor. “The most recent week’s performance suggests we’ve achieved about 30% of the potential volume in states where restrictions were lifted. Looking ahead to next week, another 46,000 restaurants could come back online.”