Cull cow prices will set another annual record high in 2012. Record highs are not that unusual, because records were also attained in 2010 and 2011. Cow prices were lower in 2009 due to the severe U.S. recession which negatively impacted most agricultural prices. Higher cow prices in 2012 are the result of lower cow slaughter and strong demand for 90% lean, boneless beef. Cow slaughter will be down about 4.5% from last year in spite of very dry conditions throughout much of the country. USDA-NASS released the last U.S. range and pasture condition report of the season at the end of October, which showed 54% of ranges and pastures in poor and very poor condition. That compares to 41% poor and very poor last year and 30% for the previous 5-year average.
Beef cow slaughter will be down almost 13% in 2012, but dairy cow
slaughter will be up about 6%. There are several reasons for fewer beef
cows being slaughtered in 2012 in spite of the drought. First of all,
calf prices are also record high and are forecasted to be strong again
in 2013 with a smaller calf crop. So producers are trying to maintain
cow numbers even with the dry conditions. An early harvest allowed cows
to graze crop aftermath earlier than normal, and the hurricane season
provided some much needed rainfall in some areas as well. Also, 2011
U.S. beef cow slaughter was historically high at 14% above the previous
5-year average as drought plagued much of the Southern Plains and led to
beef herd reduction there. And even though beef cow slaughter in 2012
will be about equal to the previous 5-year average, the U.S. started the
year with fewer beef cows than in any of the past 5 years.Will cow prices set another record high in 2013? The demand for 90% lean, boneless beef is expected to stay strong. U.S. consumers have a big appetite for hamburger, and the weak economy may even favor hamburger demand over the more expensive muscle cuts. But cow prices, like many agricultural commodities, will depend on spring and summer weather and moisture conditions. As previously stated, quite a bit of the country is abnormally dry. A return to average range and pasture conditions by spring would likely further reduce beef cow slaughter and be supportive to higher prices. But a worsening drought situation would pressure prices.
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The Markets
Fed cattle prices were lower last week on limited trade. Across the 5-area market, liveweight prices averaged $123.81, down $1.98 from the previous week. Dressed prices declined $2.55 to average $197.02 for the week. Wholesale boxed beef prices also lost ground as holiday buying completed. Choice boxed beef prices closed down $1.18 at $194.47. Calf and feeder cattle prices were mixed with weakness tending to be on the lighter weight calves and strength on the heavier feeder cattle. Both corn prices in Omaha and distiller’s grain prices in Nebraska were about steady with the previous week’s trade.
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