Daily Market Highlights

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices continued higher across a broad range Wednesday. Live sales in Nebraska were $15 higher than last week at $110/cwt. on a live basis and $20-$30 higher in the beef at $170-$180. Live sales in the western Corn Belt were mostly $12 higher than last week at mainly $115. Dressed trade was steady to $5 higher at $170-$185.

In the Southern Plains so far this week, live prices in Kansas are at $115, steady with the top of the previous week’s wide range. The price in the Texas Panhandle is at $110, compared to $95-$115 last week.

Similar gains were seen at Wednesday fed cattle auctions.

Choice steers and heifers sold $10 higher in the fat auction at Tama, IA, where 95 Ch 2-4 steers weighing an average of 1,466 lbs. brought an average price of $117.55/cwt.

At Sioux Falls in South Dakota, slaughter steers sold $17-$22 higher and fed heifers sold $10-$18 higher. There were 215 Ch 2-3 steers weighing an average of 1,446 lbs., bringing an average price of $111.78. “More packer buyers were present and willing to chase the market to get cattle bought after buying cattle in

the country at sharply higher prices on Monday and Tuesday,” according to the AMS reporter.

Cattle feeders also offered 4,601 head in the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction, selling 1,272 head for a weighted average price of $110. Money was the same on 450 head sold for delivery at 1-9 days and for 822 head sold for delivery at 1-17 days. Sold lots were from Texas and Nebraska.

Cattle futures continued the week’s volatile rollercoaster, though, giving back most of what was gained in the previous session.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.24 lower (60¢ lower at the back to $3.30 lower in spot Jun).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.49 lower.

Wholesale beef values declined sharply Wednesday, perhaps suggesting the Covid-skewed top is at least near.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $9.40 lower Wednesday afternoon at $465.99/cwt. Select was $13.73 lower at $437.24

Grain futures lost some ground, with pressure from the previous day’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ lower through May ‘21, and then 1¢ lower to fractionally higher.

Soybean futures closed 11¢ to 13¢ lower through Jan ‘21 and then 5¢ to 7¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed sharply lower Wednesday, for the second consecutive session. At least part of the pressure seemed to stem from remarks made by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, via webcast, to the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Investors were apparently hoping for a more optimistic outlook, relative to economic recovery, in the wake of COVID-19.

“While the economic response has been both timely and appropriately large, it may not be the final chapter, given that the path ahead is both highly uncertain and subject to significant downside risks,” Powell said. “Economic forecasts are uncertain in the best of times, and today the virus raises a new set of questions: How quickly and sustainably will it be brought under control? Can new outbreaks be avoided as social-distancing measures lapse? How long will it take for confidence to return and normal spending to resume? And what will be the scope and timing of new therapies, testing, or a vaccine? The answers to these questions will go a long way toward setting the timing and pace of the economic recovery. Since the answers are currently unknowable, policies will need to be ready to address a range of possible outcomes.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 516 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 50 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 139 points lower.

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Although fed cattle prices continue lower than pre-COVID projections, forecast feed costs are also lower, providing some cow-calf producers with potential opportunity to retain ownership through the feedlot.

More specifically, analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center point out feedlot cost of gain is declining.

“As reported by the monthly Kansas State University survey (Focus on Feedlots), the average steer cost of gain for March was $83.41/cwt. Kansas feedlot projections for mid-April averaged $74, the lowest since August 2018. If grain and hay costs continue to slip, as expected, that number is headed even lower,” say LMIC analysts, in the latest Livestock Monitor.

Since February, the LMIC folks explain corn prices declined counter-seasonally. For the week ending May 8, they say prices in the Texas Triangle and Omaha were the lowest since late November of 2016.

For perspective, LMIC calculates the breakeven price for a steer placed in a Southern Plains feedlot and sold in April was $115-$117. For one placed in April and sold in September, breakeven is $97-$98.

The organization calculates monthly projected breakeven sale prices with feedstuff costs when a 750-lb. steer is placed, assuming typical feeding conditions (including weather) in a commercial Southern Plains feedlot. LMIC also calculates adjusted monthly breakevens based on changes in feedstuff costs.

“As this summer unfolds, producers running summer stockers and even cow-calf operations may want to carefully evaluate retained ownership,” says LMIC analysts. “Some pre-planning and attention to projected cost of gain may pay off.”

Cattle futures closed sharply higher Tuesday, regaining much of what was lost in the previous session. Support included stronger cash fed cattle prices, the ongoing heft of wholesale beef values and perhaps USDA’s latest projections of less total red meat and poultry production this year (see below).

Other than 25¢ lower in the back contract, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.66 higher ($1.32 to $4.50 higher).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $2.93 higher ($2.22 higher at the back to $3.65 higher in spot May).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $6.81 higher Tuesday afternoon at $475.39/cwt. Select was $2.00 lower at $450.97; the first day-to-day decline since Apr. 8.

Corn futures closed fractionally higher to 1¢ higher, except for 2¢ to 5¢ higher in the front three contracts.

Soybean futures closed 2¢ to 3¢ higher in the front four contracts and then mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Tuesday, with continued jitters about how reopening the economy will impact the spread of COVID-19.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 457 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 60 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 189 points lower.

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USDA projects beef production at 25.76 billion lbs. this year, according to the latest monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). That’s 1.68 billion lbs. less (-6.12%) than the April forecast and would be 1.39 billion lbs. less (-5.12%) than last year.

Even so, WASDE estimates the annual fed steer price (five-area direct) at $104.10/cwt., which is $6.90 less than the April projection. That would be $12.68 less than last year’s average of $116.78. By quarter, USDA pegs the average price in the first quarter at $118.32, at $99 in the second and third quarters and at $100 in the fourth quarter.

Forecast total red meat and poultry production this year of 103.57 billion lbs. is 4.73 billion lbs. less (-4.36%) than the April projection and would be 1.69 billion lbs. less (-1.61%) than in 2019.

Next year, though, USDA projects total beef production (27.49 billion lbs.) and total red meat and poultry production (107.34 billion lbs.) to be higher than in 2019.

Cattle futures closed sharply lower Monday with pressure likely including the significant decline in open interest at the end of last week and disappointment that week-to-week gains in estimated cattle slaughter were not more significant (see below).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.31 lower (97¢ lower at the back to $3.00 lower).

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $3.61 lower ($2.45 to $4.27 lower)

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $7.70 higher Monday afternoon at $468.58/cwt. Select was $3.98 higher at $452.97.

Corn futures closed fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 2¢ to 3¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed mixed on Monday, with strength in tech stocks counterbalanced by jitters about how reopening the economy will impact the spread of COVID-19.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 109 points lower. The S&P 500 closed fractionally higher. The NASDAQ closed 71 points higher.

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“It will likely take many weeks for slaughter rates to catch up with the growing backlog of fed cattle and get the industry current once again,” says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his latest market comments. “Meantime, all sectors of the industry are responding to the need to slow cattle down and hold them longer in a variety of production settings before proceeding to finish in feedlots. Fed cattle weights are increasing and pushing carcass weights higher counter-seasonally.”

With that said, Peel sees a glimmer of hope in last week’s estimated cattle slaughter. Although still 32.2% less than the same week the previous year, estimated slaughter of 425,000 head was 6.4% more than the previous week.

“This hopefully indicates the beginning of recovery of packing capacity in the coming weeks,” Peel says. “Risks remain, however, and it is not clear how fast packing plant capacity will recover. New safety measures and work protocols likely mean that effective maximum capacity in beef packing plants will be reduced compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.” 

In a webinar last week, Glynn Tonsor, agricultural economist at Kansas State University suggested that 85% of pre-COVID 19 packing capacity might be a reasonable ballpark for where it lands in a post-pandemic world.

“The timing during the year is drastically altered with second-quarter beef production forecast down 13.3% year over year. Beef production will be pushed into the third quarter, which is forecast to be up 5.4% compared to last year. Fourth-quarter beef production is currently forecast to be just slightly higher year over year,” Peel says.

Cattle futures took another strong step higher on Thursday, lifting front months to the highest levels since early-to-mid March. Ongoing indications that the bottom in packing capacity and beef production may have been established continued to provide support, as did the week’s mostly stronger cash prices.

Except for 17¢ lower in the back contract, Live Cattle futures closed an average of $3.46 higher ($2.07 higher toward the back to $4.50 higher in the front three contracts). That’s an average of $6.39 higher in the last two sessions.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $4.49 higher ($3.45 higher at the back to $6.17 higher in spot May). That’s an average increase of $8.82 in the last two sessions.

Wholesale beef values continued higher Thursday, but at a more moderate pace. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $9.36 higher Thursday afternoon at a $458.54/cwt. Select was $16.61 higher at $448.57.

The average dressed steer weight for the week ending Apr. 25 was 891 lbs., which was 2 lbs. heavier than the previous week and 37 lbs. heavier than the previous year, according to USDA’s weekly Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. The average dressed heifer weight of 818 lbs. was 5 lbs. lighter week to week but 24 lbs. heavier year over year. Fed cattle slaughter of 350,563 head was 161,914 head fewer (-31.59%). Beef production of 381.1 million lbs. was 131.7 million lbs. less (-25.68%).

Corn futures closed 2¢ to 4¢ higher through Mar ’21 and then unchanged to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 7¢ to 11¢ higher through Jan ’21 and then fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Thursday, led by tech stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 211 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 32 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 125 points higher.

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As scarcer beef supplies spawn more retail and food service outlets to limit customer purchases, some consumers wonder why the U.S. continues to export beef. Similarly, as cattle prices sag and run opposite of wholesale beef values, some producers question why the U.S. continues to import beef.

“Closing off or limiting beef exports does not necessarily mean greater amounts of beef in U.S. retail grocery stores, nor does limiting imports mean greater cattle prices,” says Brenda Boetel, livestock economist at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. “The reason is because beef exported is not the same as beef imported. Even with beef production down, the importance of keeping export markets (and import markets) open is vital to the long- term health of the cattle industry.”

More specifically, in the latest issue of In the Cattle Markets, Boetel explains the mix of U.S. beef exports add value to domestic cattle prices as international customers place a higher value on some beef products than U.S. consumers. As mentioned in Wednesday’s Cattle Current, beef export value per head of fed slaughter was $308.21 in March, according to  the most recent data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. For the first quarter, per-head export value was $317.06.

Likewise, importing beef–mostly lean trim–helps bolster U.S. ground beef demand and keep it more price competitive than using higher value parts of the domestic carcasses.

“Ground beef in the U.S. is typically a combination of two different products: 50% lean trimmings from grain fed cattle and 90% lean trimmings from grass fed cattle or cull cows. These two products are blended together to provide lean ground beef options for restaurants and retail grocery stores. Without these lean ground beef options, many consumers would likely turn to other leaner protein products,” Boetel says.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices bounced higher in some areas Wednesday, although the wide spread continues.

Live prices in the Southern Plains were mostly $5 higher than the previous week at mainly $110/cwt.

Dressed sales in the western Corn Belt were mainly $20-$30 higher than the previous week at mostly $180.

Prices in Nebraska were mostly steady at $95 on a live basis and at mostly $150 in the beef.

Cattle feeders offered 5,119 head in the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction on Wednesday. Of those, 679 head sold for a weighted average price of $95.05/cwt.; all from the Southern Plains and for delivery at 1-17 days.

Higher cash prices and growing optimism about packing capacity moving beyond an established low point lifted Cattle futures mostly limit higher on Wednesday.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $2.93 higher, limit up through the front six contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed from an average of $4.33 higher, limit up $4.50 in the front five contracts.

Wholesale beef values took yet another step higher. Choice boxed beef cutout value was $20.19 higher Wednesday afternoon at a $449.18/cwt. Select was $21.25 higher at $431.96.

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed mostly 7¢ to 10¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed mainly lower Wednesday, except for tech stocks, as more data quantifies the labor misery dealt by the pandemic.

Private sector employment decreased by 20.24 million jobs from March to April, according to the April ADP National Employment Report® (NER).

“Job losses of this scale are unprecedented. The total number of job losses for the month of April alone was more than double the total jobs lost during the Great Recession,” says Ahu Yildirmaz, co-head of the ADP Research Institute.  “Additionally, it is important to note that the report is based on the total number of payroll records for employees who were active on a company’s payroll through the 12th of the month.” As such, she explains the latest NER doesn’t reflect the full impact of COVID-19 on the overall employment situation.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 218 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 20 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 45 points higher.

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U.S. beef exports were record high for the first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

U.S. beef exports in March totaled 115,308 metric tons (mt), up 7% from a year earlier. Value was 4% more at $702.2 million. Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Canada and Taiwan drove export growth for the month.

First-quarter beef exports climbed 9% from a year earlier to 334,703 mt; valued at $2.06 billion, which was 8% higher.

“March export results were very solid, especially given the COVID-19 related headwinds facing customers in many international markets at that time,” says USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Stay-at-home orders created enormous challenges for many countries’ foodservice sectors, several key currencies slumped against the U.S. dollar and logistical obstacles surfaced in some key markets; yet demand for U.S. red meat proved very resilient…The U.S. meat industry has spent decades developing a loyal and well-informed customer base throughout the world, which has embraced the quality and value delivered by U.S. red meat. Their commitment to U.S. products during this crisis is much-appreciated.”

Beef export value per head of fed slaughter was $308.21 in March, down 8% from the very high March 2019 average. For the first quarter, per-head export value increased 2% to $317.06.

U.S. pork export volume of 291,459 mt was 38% more than a year earlier. Pork export value was 47% more at $764.2 million. Through the first quarter, pork exports increased 40% from a year ago to 838,118 mt, valued at $2.23 billion (up 52%).

USMEF points out some recent events, including temporary closures of several U.S. processing plants, are not reflected in the first quarter export data. Halstrom cautions that April and May exports could slow as a result, but his outlook for 2020 remains positive.

The week’s negotiated cash fed cattle trade was off to a slow start through Tuesday afternoon. Although too few transactions to trend, AMS reported sales in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt across a broad range at $95/cwt. on a live basis and at $145-$170 in the beef.

On the other end of the trade, wholesale beef values continued higher with temporary beef scarcity seen in reports of some retailers limiting beef purchases per customer and some burger joints plumb running out.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $18.77 higher Tuesday afternoon at a $428.82/cwt. Select was $33.88 higher at $410.54.

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Tuesday, as traders try to make sense of all the above, relative to a few weeks and a few months down the road.

After $1.60 lower in spot Jun, Live Cattle futures closed from 65¢ lower to 50¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed from an average of 36¢ lower to an average of 21¢ higher.  

Corn futures closed fractionally higher to 2¢ higher through the front four contracts and then fractionally lower to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed fractionally higher to 4¢ higher through the front five contracts and then 2¢ to 6¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices extended gains Tuesday, with investors apparently more optimistic about the U.S. economy starting to crank up again, albeit ever so slowly.

Crude oil prices also suggested more confidence with West Texas Intermediate on the CME closing $2.76 to $4.17 higher through the front six contracts.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 133 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 25 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 98 points higher.

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U.S. restaurant chain transactions for the week ending Apr. 26 improved for the second consecutive week with total industry customer transactions down 32% year over year, compared to a 36% decline the prior week. That’s according to The NPD Group (NPD).

More specifically, transactions at quick service restaurants that week were 30% less year over year. Full service restaurant transactions were 71% less, improving by 1% week to week, according to 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. 

“Government relief payments and overall improvement in consumer spending most likely contributed to the easing of transaction declines,” says David Portalatin, NPD food industry advisor. “Looking to next week, we might anticipate the upward trend continuing as restaurants begin to reopen their dining rooms.”

Georgia’s 20,000 restaurants were allowed to reopen on April 27.  From May 1-3, several other states followed suit, most notably Texas with almost 60,000 restaurants.  Over the next two weeks there are over 300,000 restaurants that may potentially reopen for on-premise dining.  These openings will improve industry volume but won’t return it to full capacity. In Texas, for example, reopening comes with strict social distancing guidelines, and dining rooms may not exceed 25% of their standard occupancy. 

“As states and localities reopen, many restaurants are ready to open on the first day, while others need more time to prepare. Still unknown is the number of restaurants that may never reopen,” says Portalatin. “Other considerations are that many consumers may be cautious about returning to dining rooms; and a significant percentage of the population would remain in quarantine even if restrictions were lifted.”

Cattle futures continued to edge higher to start the week, but with plenty of continued uncertainty surrounding supply chain disruptions (see below).

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 65¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 98¢ higher, (70¢ higher at the back to $1.32 higher).

Wholesale beef values took another giant leap higher Monday as buyers chase decreased supplies.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $32.60 higher Monday afternoon at a $410.05/cwt. Select was $19.53 higher at $376.66. That made the Choice-Select spread $33.39.

Corn futures closed mostly 2¢ to 3¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 11¢ to 13¢ lower through near Sep and then 4¢ to 9¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices bounced back from early follow-through pressure Monday, buoyed by tech stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 26 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 12 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 105 points higher.

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Cattle futures in recent days suggest increasing confidence that last week’s Executive Order mandating meat and processing facilities remain open will help normalize supply chain, eventually.

In the meantime, cattle slaughter and beef production continue significantly lower year over year, while the backlog of fed cattle continues to build.

Estimated cattle slaughter for the week ending May 2 was 425,000 head, which was 38% less year over year, according to Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University. For the past four weeks, he says total cattle slaughter averaged 26.4% less than the same weeks last year–down 689,000 head, or a little more than a week’s worth of cattle slaughter.

Similarly, in his weekly market comments, Peel explains beef production was down 35% last week, compared to a year earlier; an average of 25% less for the past four weeks. Relative to the first 14 weeks of the year, before current COVID-19 production declines began, he says the combined 520 million lbs. of reduced beef production over the last four weeks equates to losing a week’s worth of production.

“Given when packing plant workers began to be impacted and the additional attention now focused on protecting worker health, it is likely that we are currently at or very near the worst point of packing plant disruptions,” Peel says. “However, it is unclear how fast plants will resume production levels in the coming weeks. It is likely that the effective capacity will be reduced permanently or certainly for the foreseeable future because of the safety changes needed at packing plants. The impacts on cattle markets will linger for many weeks before backlogs are cleaned up and markets are current again.”

For consumers, Peel emphasizes there is no shortage of beef in the country. Any shortages encountered will be temporary.

Negotiated cash fed cattle prices ended the week across a wide range but generally steady with the previous week with live prices at $95-$100/cwt. in the Texas Panhandle, $95-$105 in Kansas and Nebraska and at $93-$100 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed sales were at $150-$160.

Through Thursday, the negotiated five-area daily weighted average direct live steer price was $1.03 less than the previous week at $95.92/cwt. It was 23¢ more in the beef at $154.50.

Cattle futures firmed further, supported by the week’s Executive Order to keep packing and processing plants open, sky-high boxed beef prices and some states beginning to ease stay-at-home orders. Resurgent Lean Hog futures also provided support.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 80¢ higher, (45¢ to $1.50 higher).

Except for $1.30 lower in Mar, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 70¢ higher, (5¢ higher at the back to $1.15 higher toward the front).

Demand continues to run well ahead of wholesale beef supplies.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $9.89 higher Friday afternoon at a $377.45/cwt. Select was $6.97 higher at $357.13.

Corn futures closed from 1¢ lower to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 2¢ to 5¢ lower through Nov ’20 and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed sharply lower Friday, extending losses from the previous session. Pressure included renewed political sabre rattling between the U.S. and China.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 622 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 81 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 284 points lower.

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“With boxed beef prices running wildly to records every day and live cattle prices moving lower, there is a lot of talk about packers colluding to take advantage of the market situation,” says Andrew P. Griffith, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee, in his weekly market comments. “It is nearly impossible for any outsider to know if collusion is occurring or not. However, it is easy for an outsider to see the current situation and know he or she would be trying to slaughter as many cattle as possible and market beef at record prices to fulfill the objective of being profitable. Slaughter facilities have a number of reasons to stay open and operate at as full of a capacity as possible; making money is not the least of these. Slaughter facilities are paying double time and giving bonuses to entice employees to work and produce meat while also attempting to address health concerns of employees. This is a delicate balancing act on the part of slaughter facilities, but this gets overlooked because boxed beef prices are 75% higher than where they were at the end of January. Is the packer in the wrong? Maybe or maybe not, but there must be at least two entities willing to bid the price this high.”

In the meantime, various groups are lobbying for all kinds of changes, everything from the trite and WTO-illegal mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, to calls for legislation mandating some level of weekly cash fed cattle trade to improve market transparency and price discovery. That’s while USDA investigations continue into market reactions following last summer’s beef packing plant fire in Kansas, and current market reaction in the wake of beef packing capacity reduced by COVID-19.

“Never before has the industry faced so many challenges that threaten the operation of multiple processing facilities simultaneously, along with massive disruptions to the food service supply chain severely limiting nearly half of the total beef market,” says Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, in his weekly market comments.

Peel points out current industry structure and business practices evolved in response to economic forces driving the beef industry to be ever more competitive.

“The cost efficiencies of large-scale cattle feeding and meatpacking operations are undeniable. Some current proposals will add cost and risk to the industry and will further increase the differences between cattle and wholesale beef prices,” Peel explains. “A less efficient, higher cost beef industry will ultimately result in higher beef prices for consumers and make beef a less competitive protein industry. Simultaneously, cattle producers will face lower cattle prices and, as the industry downsizes, more will be forced out of the industry.”

Peel isn’t advocating for or against any particular change or policy prescription.

“My job is to make sure that the industry understands the implications and consequences of alternatives that are being considered,” Peel says. “Some of the proposals being promoted today will have unintended consequences that are negative for the entire industry. This industry consists of many diverse sectors and perspectives. In the end, the entire cattle and beef industry will thrive or not as a single industry. Be careful what you ask for.”

Although too few to trend, negotiated cash fed cattle trade continued Thursday across a broad range, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Live sales were reported in the Southern Plains at $95-$96/cwt., $95-$100 in the western Corn Belt and $93.75-$95.00 in Nebraska. Dressed prices ranged from $147 to $160.

Live Cattle futures continued to firm, though, perhaps with hopes that capacity returns to beef packing sooner rather than later (see below), given the previous day’s Executive Order mandating that meat packing and processing facilities remain open.

Other than $4.40 higher in expiring spot Apr, Live Cattle futures closed an average of 70¢ higher, (15¢ higher at the back to $1.67 higher in new spot Jun), except for 2¢ lower in away Apr.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.56 lower, (37¢ lower in expiring spot Apr to $1.95 lower). 

Wholesale beef values climbed by double digits again.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $10.18 higher Thursday afternoon at a $367.56/cwt. Select was $10.25 higher at $350.16.

The average dressed steer weight for the week ending Apr. 18 was 889 lbs., which was 3 lbs. heavier than the previous week and 32 lbs. heavier than the previous year, according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. The average dressed heifer weight was 823 lbs., which was 3 lbs. less than the prior week but 24 lbs. heavier than the same week a year earlier.

Beef production for the week was 395.6 million lbs., which was 36 million lbs. fewer than the prior week (-8.34%) and 118 million lbs. less (-22.98%) than the same week last year.

Weekly export sales added support to grain markets Thursday. Net corn export sales were 87% more than the previous week, led by Mexico, and 19% more than the prior four-week average, according to the U.S. Weekly Export Salesreport from UADA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Net soybean export sales were noticeably higher than the previous week, led by China, and noticeably higher than the prior four-week average.

Corn futures closed 4¢ to 7¢ higher in the front three contracts and then 2¢ to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 18¢ higher through Jan ’21 and then mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Thursday, with another round of massive initial jobless claims of 3.84 million, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

“Looking ahead, as workplaces reopen, we must ensure that individuals transition from unemployment back into the workforce,” says Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. “Key to this process will be workplace safety.”

Although still mired at the bottom, crude oil prices continued recent nascent recovery Thursday. The front six contracts for West Texas Intermediate futures on the CME were up $1.71 to $3.78. Spot Jun closed at $18.84, which was $6.50 higher than on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 288 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 27 points lower. The NASDAQ closed 25 points lower.

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Depending on how fast packing plant production normalizes, there could be in excess of 1 million head of long-fed cattle come June 1, according to recent calculations by agricultural economists Glynn Tonsor at Kansas State University and Lee Shulz at Iowa State University.

For purposes here, long-fed refers to cattle on feed for more than 120 days and more than 150 days–the carryover of market-ready fed cattle.

“Cattle on feed for over 120 days and over 150 days is useful when evaluating the currentness of cattle supplies in feedlots,” Tonsor and Shulz explain. “Currentness refers to whether cattle are being marketed on a timely basis, or kept on feed longer. Keeping marketings current is generally positive to market prices. Currentness has implications, some short-run and some longer lasting, for price rebounds. Too many producers being forced to delay feedlot marketings can quickly cause an oversupply of both market-ready cattle and over-fed, over-finished cattle and lead to an eventual market purge of heavy cattle at some point, which can drive prices down. It is important to remember that overall feedlot numbers are not burdensome; it is the supply of market-ready or near market-ready cattle that is burdensome relative to current slaughter capacity.”

In, Fed Cattle Flows: Demonstrative Scenario Examples, Tonsor and Shulz estimate the number of cattle on feed for more than 120 days and more than 150 days, as of Apr. 1, utilizing monthly Cattle on Feed reports, which account for feedlots with 1,000 head or more capacity.

Next they present four possible scenarios, which consider various levels of reduced estimated weekly fed cattle slaughter through May 30, relative to last year, due to current disruptions wrought by COVID-19. Then they calculate accompanying fed cattle overflow for May 1 and June 1, relative to each scenario.

For recent slaughter perspective, they say cattle slaughter for the week of Apr. 25 was estimated at 469,000 head. That was down 33,000 head fewer (6.6% less) than the previous week and 173,000 head fewer (26.9% less) than the same week a year earlier. The USDA chart below offers a similar perspective in terms of weekly beef production.

Keeping the outline described above in mind, Tonsor and Shulz estimate fed cattle carryover May 1 ranges from 485,000 to 510,000 head. For June 1, it’s 1.07 million to 1.34 million head.

Rather than necessarily projecting specific numbers, this work from Tonsor and Schulz provides valuable context and insight to how quickly and far behind marketing currentness can become.

“We have no concrete ability to project fed cattle marketings given challenges presented by COVID-19,” say Tonsor and Shulz. “It should immediately be appreciated that any positive developments that lead to increased and persistent operation of packing plants will reduce cattle carryover, backup, and related impacts―which is a scenario the entire industry would welcome!”

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade so far this week is steady to mixed with live sales in the Texas Panhandle at $95-$100/cwt. and at $90-$100 in Kansas, where there were too few transactions to trend. Up north, live prices are steady in Nebraska at $95 and up to $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at mostly $100. Dressed sales are steady to $10 lower in Nebraska at $150; steady in the western Corn Belt at $150-$160.

Cattle feeders offered 4,484 head in the weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction, selling 818 head. Of those, 174 head sold for a weighted average price of $100/cwt. for delivery at 1-9 days. Another 644 head for delivery at 1-17 days sold for a weighted average price of $96.57.

President Trump signed an executive order late Tuesday, using the Defense Production Act, to mandate that meat packing and processing facilities remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To ensure worker safety, these processors will continue to follow the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” according to a White House Fact Sheet (see below).

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed Wednesday, as traders weigh short-term pressure, due to current disruptions in packing and processing, against a hopeful surge in demand as the economy reopens.

Live Cattle futures closed 42¢ lower to 25¢ higher, with sluggish trade.

Except for an average of 31¢ lower in three contracts, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 24¢ higher, in extremely light trade.

Wholesale beef values continued to climb Wednesday.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $26.56 higher Wednesday afternoon at a $357.38/cwt. Select was $19.03 higher at $339.91.

Corn futures closed mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 5¢ to 8¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Wednesday amid reports of promising test results from a potential coronavirus treatment drug. Although expected, support also included the Federal Reserve leaving interest rates unchanged.

“The ongoing public health crisis will weigh heavily on economic activity, employment, and inflation in the near term, and poses considerable risks to the economic outlook over the medium term. In light of these developments, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0.0% to 0.25%,” according to a statement from the Fed. “The Committee expects to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.”

Gains came despite early quantification of domestic economic damage wrought by COVID-19.

Real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 4.8% in the first quarter of 2020, according to the advance estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2019, real GDP increased 2.1%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 532 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 76 points higher. The NASDAQ closed 206 points higher.

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The Executive Order signed by President Trump, mandating meat packing and processing facilities remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic should offer some stability to beef markets. It also bolsters hopes the number of delayed fed cattle marketings can ease sooner rather than later, realizing the timeline is likely counted in months rather than weeks.

“Under the order, the Department of Agriculture is directed to ensure America’s meat and poultry processors continue operations uninterrupted to the maximum extent possible,” according to a White House Fact Sheet.

“Our nation’s meat and poultry processing facilities play an integral role in the continuity of our food supply chain,” says U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue. “Maintaining the health and safety of these heroic employees in order to ensure that these critical facilities can continue operating is paramount. I also want to thank the companies who are doing their best to keep their workforce safe as well as keeping our food supply sustained. USDA will continue to work with its partners across the federal government to ensure employee safety to maintain this essential industry.”

Estimated daily hog and cattle slaughter are both down about 40% compared to this time last year, according to Jayson Lusk, noted Purdue University food and agricultural economist, in his blog.

“Plant closures and slow-downs from COVID-19 have reached such levels that it will be impossible for consumers not to notice effects on meat prices or availability in the coming weeks,” Lusk says.

“While there are currently no widespread shortages of beef, we are seeing supply chain disruptions because of plant closures and reductions in the processing speed at many, if not most, beef processing plants in the United States. We thank President Trump for his recognition of the problem and the action he has taken today to begin correcting it,” says Colin Woodall chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “American consumers rely on a safe, steady supply of food, and President Trump understands the importance of keeping cattle and beef moving to ensure agriculture continues to operate at a time when the nation needs it most.”

Likewise, Robert McKnight, Jr., president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association explains the Executive Order should go a long way toward easing consumer fear, as well as preventing additional economic strain on the cattle producers who supply the beef processors.   

“The executive order will help ensure a steady, reliable supply of high-quality U.S. protein-not only for customers in the United States, but across the globe,” says Dan Halstrom, president and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). “The U.S. meat industry is already taking extraordinary steps to ensure worker safety, including COVID-19 testing, temperature checks, use of personal protective equipment and social distancing of employees. But further action is needed to stabilize our meat supply chain, and USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s prioritization of safe and consistent meat production and processing during this difficult time.”

Under the Executive Order and the authority of the Defense Production Act, USDA will work with meat processing to affirm they will operate in accordance with the CDC and OSHA guidance, and then work with state and local officials to ensure that these plants are allowed to operate, according to Secretary Perdue.

“We understand and appreciate the difficulties facing processing plant workers during this crisis, says Woodall. “Processing plant employees play a role that is critical to the security of this nation and America’s cattle producers offer their sincere gratitude for the work they are doing to keep food shortages from compounding the complex issues we’re facing.”