Cattle slaughter finished last week at 656,000 head, down 2 percent from a year ago and nearly flat with the week prior. This week, slaughter is projected out at 650,000 head, down 3 percent from last week. Over the next six weeks, slaughter is forecast at an average of 640,000 head, down an average of 0.2 percent from last year and up 9 percent compared to the prior six week average. The continued strong supply is going to keep negative price pressure on the market, but low prices should start to cure low prices by way of increased inclusion rates in July and an increase in export demand.
Figure 1.
04.22.2024
Animal fats and oils commentary: CWG prices fall on pressure from DCO
Steady slaughter levels, lower prices into the US Gulf for all feedstocks and lower prices for distillers’ corn oil (DCO) in the Midwestern markets have all weighed on the...
04.22.2024
Cattle slaughter more in line with 2023 as May nears
US cattle slaughter
Fastmarkets research forecasts cattle slaughter at 625,000 head in the week to Saturday April 27, less than half a percent lower than the same period in...
04.22.2024
Central Illinois soybean crush margins hit 5-week high
DDG prices remained steady in all regions on Monday April 22. Market sources said demand remains flat, and reported steady values that align with current price ranges.