Date: Aug 10 2022
| CAB InsiderRecent data shows the Choice carcass category has declined while the Select category has drifted higher. This supply data goes against what beef customers increasingly desire and are willing to pay for premium middle meats, thus rapidly elevating the Prime to Choice cutout value spread.
Date: Jul 13 2022
| CAB InsiderA slow packing sector pace kicked off January 2022 with a quick recovery to more impressive daily harvest levels in February. Carcasses still tracked a heavier path than the prior year from February through early May, finally pulling lower. The annual average carcass weight low appears to have been made during the week of June 13.
Date: Jun 29 2022
| CAB InsiderClosing out the month of June the boxed beef pricing complex typically undergoes a directional change. However, given the economic anomalies in place this year, cutout values will finish June a bit stronger than in recent years, measured against mid-May prices.
Date: Jun 15 2022
| CAB InsiderSeasonal factors in the wholesale carcass market are firmly in place this year. The percentage of high-quality grade carcasses in the northern mix continues down an exaggerated decline. Typically, the bulk of premium grade carcasses are generated in the north, with Nebraska being the largest volume producer of Prime and CAB brand carcasses
Date: Jun 01 2022
| CAB InsiderCarcass weights are always top of mind for us in spring as we try to keep buyers and sellers in the cattle and beef markets informed on quality carcass supplies and price implications. This heightened focus is a function of carcass weights tending to find their annual lows in May.
Date: May 18 2022
| CAB InsiderHigher feed costs and challenging summer breakevens may cause carcass outcomes to continue underperforming specific to marbling and premium beef production.
Date: May 02 2022
| CAB InsiderFewer carcasses in the Prime grade have not resulted in a larger share in Premium Choice. USDA data shows the percentage of Choice carcasses certified for Premium Choice branded beef programs is currently lower than in any of the past four years, albeit fractionally so.
Date: Apr 13 2022
| CAB InsiderPrime trends continue to chart new territory for the most premium quality grade and current conditions show reason for incentive. A potential directional shift up and to the right on the premium chart is not out of the question.
Date: Mar 31 2022
| CAB InsiderThe redundancy of higher corn prices in the market discussion is bound to grow old, but it’s an important feature of the fed cattle trade now and will be moving forward. Cattle feeders have been more willing to sell finished cattle in recent weeks since corn prices have elevated the ration cost and feed conversion efficiency decreases at the end of the feeding period.
Date: Mar 16 2022
| CAB InsiderIn our 2019 report, the aggregate packer CAB premium total came in at $92 million. The 2021 total has seen that total nearly double in only two years, resulting in $182 million in CAB premiums.
