Fed cattle prices surge while slaughter slows

Fed cattle on the negotiated market traded $235 to $236 per hundredweight in the South last week, $3 to $4 higher than the week prior. In the North, cattle traded $245 to $247 per hundredweight, $3 to $4 higher than the week prior. Dressed trade occurred at $385 per hundredweight, up $5.

Last week’s weekly slaughter estimate came in smaller than expected at 535,000 head, 14,000 less than the week prior and 57,500 less than a year ago. With packers paying higher prices for fed cattle again last week, and boxed beef prices pressured lower, further reductions in slaughter seem likely this week.

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Trey Freeman

August 5, 2025