Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from limited on light demand in the western Corn Belt to inactive on very light demand elsewhere through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.
For the week, FOB live prices were $4-$6 higher in the Texas Panhandle at $208-$210/cwt., $6 higher in Kansas at $210, $4-$6 higher in Nebraska at $212-$214 and $4-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $212-$215. Dressed delivered prices were $5-$12 higher in Nebraska at $332-$340 and $7-$8 higher in the western Corn Belt at $335.
Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.38 lower Friday afternoon at $331.51/cwt. Select was 84¢ lower at $315.55.
Estimated total cattle slaughter last week of 576,000 head was 12,000 head more than the previous week but 42,000 head fewer than the same week a year earlier. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 9.0 million head was 530,000 head fewer (-5.6%). Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.6 billion pounds was 147.2 million pounds less (-1.8%).
Equity and futures markets were closed Friday in observance of Good Friday. Cattle futures trended higher during the week, supported by stronger negotiated cash fed cattle prices.
Live Cattle futures closed an average of $6.27 higher week to week on Thursday ($4.25 higher at the back to $8.98 higher at the front.
Week to week on Thursday, Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $9.41 higher.
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Retail beef prices continued to trend higher through the first quarter of 2025.
“In March, the all-fresh retail beef price reached a record of $8.42 per pound, up +6.8% (54¢ per pound) from the prior year,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC), in the latest Livestock Monitor. “The ground beef price surged to a record of $6.14 per pound in March, up +11.1% (62¢ per pound) from last year. Roasts were at $7.99 per pound in March, essentially unchanged from last month’s record of $8.00 per pound, and up +8.1% (60¢ per pound) from last year. Steaks were $11.92 per pound, an increase of +3.4% (39¢ per pound) from the same month last year.”
For broader perspective, LMIC analysts say the retail pork price was $4.95 per pound in March, near the record high of $5.04 in October 2022. The retail bacon price in March was just below $7 per pound at $6.98 per pound, an increase of +5.6% (37¢ per pound) from the prior year.
The broiler composite retail chicken price of $2.45 per pound in March was 2¢ per pound more than last year. Eggs were a record-high $6.23 per pound in March, more than double the $2.99 per pound the prior year.