Cattle Weights Up

Average cattle slaughter weights have been ratcheting higher during the past few weeks with indications that weights will be well above the year ago level for June.  Typically, cattle weights begin their seasonal increase in May and continue to rise until peaking out early in the fall quarter. 

This year, average cattle weights in May held fairly steady.  However, based on recent data it appears that rather slow fed cattle marketings in recent weeks have kicked off a strong rebound in slaughter weights.  How high fed cattle weights go this summer and fall will be a significant factor influencing beef production and fed cattle prices. 

In April, cattle dressed weights averaged 731 pounds, about even with a year ago and the previous five-year average.  Steer weights in April remained below last year, while heifer weights were higher than a year ago for the first time this year.

According to the weekly data, for May cattle dressed weights will break the year- ago barrier and average about 737 pounds compared to 733 pounds in 2003, but still below 2002’s (749 pounds).  This will be the first year-to-year increase in monthly carcass weight since December 2002. 

Steer dressed weights increased dramatically at the end of May, with weights posting a 7-pound week-to-week increase.  Steers should average around 780 pounds in May, only 2 pounds lighter than last year and even with the prior five-year average.  However, on a monthly basis, that would represent an eight-pound gain from April.  May’s heifer dressed weights are expected to be about 5 pounds heavier than 2003’s weight level.

Reports from the Southern Plains further support this upward trend in slaughter cattle weights during May and into the early summer period.  On a weekly basis, the average live steer and heifer weight for April was 1,155 pounds.  In May, the average live weight was 11 pounds heavier at 1,166 pounds. 

Source:  Livestock Marketing Information Center