Since the start of the year, the cutter cow price has risen $31.47 per cwt (36%).
Weekly cow slaughter (beef plus dairy) continues to trend lower with weekly levels tracking below 2023 levels. Last week was the lowest weekly level so far for 2024 at 102,750 head, which is more than 22,000 head (-18%) below the same week last year. Year-to-date through mid May, weekly cow slaughter has totaled nearly 2.2 million head, which is down 14% (almost 340,000 head) from the same period in 2023.
Seasonally, cow slaughter trends lower during the summer months before climbing higher during the fourth quarter of the year. As cow slaughter numbers have trended lower, slaughter cow prices have moved higher. Slaughter cow prices (Southern Plains Auction, 85-90% lean) started the year at $85 per cwt and have climbed higher, reaching a peak of $129.09 per cwt for the week of May 18, 2024.
Last week’s price moved slightly lower to $120.65 per cwt, which was $50.08 per cwt (42%) higher than the same week last year. A similar upward trend has been occurring with cutter cow prices (national direct), which were $118.48 per cwt last week, a record and $26.39 per cwt (29%) above the same week last year. Since the start of the year, the cutter cow price has risen $31.47 per cwt (36%).
