CLARA COMPARISONS:  Kansas Steer Prices vs National Steer Prices

CLARA COMPARISONS:  Kansas Steer Prices vs National Steer Prices

Over the past six weeks, steer prices (700-899#) have shown a downward trend both nationally and in Kansas, with Kansas consistently trailing behind the national average. The national price started at $279.72/cwt on January 6 and gradually declined to $276.12/cwt by February 10, marking a $3.60/cwt drop over the period. The most notable spike occurred the week of January 27, when the national average hit its six-week high of $282.46/cwt, indicating a brief period of strong demand before the market softened again. Kansas prices followed a similar trajectory, starting at $276.01/cwt in early January and dropping to $270.30/cwt by February 10, a decline of $5.71/cwt over six weeks.

The spread between Kansas and National prices has remained consistent, typically ranging between $3.71 to $6.61/cwt, with an average gap of $5.09/cwt over this period. The largest spread was seen on January 27, when Kansas steer prices lagged the national average by $6.61/cwt, suggesting weaker local demand or a higher volume of feeder cattle available in the region at that time. The smallest spread occurred in early January at $3.71/cwt, showing a brief moment of price convergence. The data suggests that Kansas remains at a discount relative to the national market, with its prices generally tracking in the same direction but maintaining a lower baseline. This spread highlights regional demand differences and potential transportation cost advantages for buyers sourcing cattle in Kansas.

Kansas vs National Steer Prices