U.S. Cattle Report

U.S. Cattle Report - Thursday, July 31st

🔥 A Look At Cattle Weights; Boxed Beef Down $34.50 Since June 27th 🔥

In June 2025, average cattle weights reached 1,408 lbs, setting a new all-time record for the month of June. This represents a 26-pound increase from June 2024 (1,382 lbs) and a 70-pound gain over June 2023 (1,338 lbs). While cattle weights typically decline seasonally into summer, this year’s levels remain exceptionally high. Weights have eased from the record peak of 1,439 lbs in January 2025, dropping 31 pounds since then, but still reflect elevated year-over-year gains for the period.

Negotiated cash cattle trade was limited on Wednesday, with moderate demand noted in Kansas, where a few early purchases were reported at $235.00. However, volume was insufficient for an adequate market test. The last established market in Kansas was $230.00–$232.00. Trade remained mostly inactive in all other major feeding regions, also under moderate demand. In the Texas Panhandle, the most recent established trade occurred last week at $230.00–$232.00. Nebraska saw its last market with live purchases at $242.00–$245.00 and dressed sales at $380.00. In the Western Cornbelt, last week’s trade included live sales at $238.00–$242.00, mostly $240.00, and dressed sales at $380.00 on a light test.

Boxed beef prices were mostly steady to slightly lower on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The Choice cutout closed at $361.32, down $0.67 from the previous day, while Select moved up $0.46 to $341.37, narrowing the spread to $19.95. Total loads reported were 109, down from 168 the day before. The rib primal continued to climb, finishing at $529.35, while the loin dropped to $468.69, down nearly $10 from the prior day. Other primals like round and chuck remained stable, while brisket, plate, and flank showed minor price shifts. Overall, the Choice cutout is now down $35.17 from its June 27 high.

Cattle slaughter on Thursday totaled 111,000 head, down from 117,000 the previous week and 114,454 on the same day a year ago. Week-to-date slaughter reached 444,000 head, slightly below last week's 448,000 and notably behind last year’s 471,849. Year-to-date cattle slaughter stands at 17,183,902 head, a 6.5% decrease from 18,368,316 head processed during the same period in 2024.

This U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) week saw continued improvement in drought-related conditions across areas of the Midwest (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota), central and northern Plains (Kansas, Nebraska, Dakotas, eastern Montana), South (Texas), and in the Desert Southwest (New Mexico). During the past week, the most significant rainfall accumulations were observed across areas of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota, where they ranged from 3 to 7+ inches.

🔥Plate Drops $49 Since July 15th 🔥

The plate primal closed on Wednesday at $269.65, down $5.87 from the previous day. Since July 15th, when it was priced at $319.07, the plate has dropped a total of $49.42, marking a 15.5% decline over that span.

Rob Cook, NationalBeefWire.com