Livestock Marketing Information Center
In The Cattle Markets
Updated: 3/10/2025
Cattle Slaughter and Beef Production Check-In
Cattle slaughter through the end of February 2025 has been lower than last year. This is not a surprise given the tighter inventories that were expected. However, two interesting developments have emerged. First, the distribution of the cattle being processed is shifting. And second, beef production is a bit higher than last year despite this smaller slaughter figure.
Livestock Monitor
Updated: 3/14/2025
RETAIL MEAT PRICES
The USDA-Economic Research Service (ERS) recently released retail meat prices for the month of February. The price of all fresh retail beef rose by +6.2% to $8.32 per lb., retail pork prices increased by +1.6% to $4.84 per lb., and retail broiler prices climbed by +5.1% to $2.05 per lb.
FEEDER PIG PRICES
Prices for early weaned (10-12 lbs.) and 40 lb. feeder pigs started the year at levels well above the prior year but have recently moved lower. Early weaned feeder pig prices were just above $80 per head at the start of the year and peaked at $81.08 per head the first week of February. Since the peak, prices have moved lower with last week’s price at $62.80 per head, which is a decline of $18.28 (-23%) per head. Compared to a year ago, last week’s early weaned feeder pig price was up +12% or $6.61 per head.
STABLE FEED COST OUTLOOK HINGES ON EXPORTS AND BIOFUEL DEMAND
The USDA-World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) released its monthly forecast of agriculture markets this week. Little or no change was made to corn and soybean market outlooks from the prior month. Corn exports for the current crop year (Sep 2024-Aug 2025) are pegged at 2.45 billion bushels, up from 2.292 billion bushels and are at the highest volume since the 2021 crop year. Corn usage for ethanol, food products, and seed are expected to run at 6.89 billion bushels, up from 6.86 billion bushels last year and at the highest level since the 2017 crop year. Both components of corn demand are robust and should keep offerings of corn to the US livestock, poultry, and dairy markets at a level slightly less than the last crop year.
Livestock Monitor pdf