Livestock Marketing Information Center
In The Cattle Markets
Updated: 6/16/2025
Meat is Having a Moment
One of the most intentionally repeated phrases I have used in recent months is “meat is having a moment.” This reflects multiple signals that consumer desire for meat protein is strong and perhaps broader macroeconomic factors most risk near-term derailment of elevated meat demand supporting higher livestock prices.
Livestock Monitor
Updated: 6/6/2025
REGIONAL FEEDER CATTLE PRICES
Feeder cattle prices in recent weeks have started to ease in line with typical seasonal trends, moving down marginally as summer commences and calf supplies build towards fall. However, prices remain historically elevated due to continued supply constraints and strong underlying demand. Regionally, as of the week ending May 30, 2025, 500- to 600-pound steer calves (medium and large frame, No. 1 and 2) in Washington were priced at an average of $391.32 per cwt. This represents a +19.7% increase from the same week last year, when prices were around $326.96 per cwt.
MEAT TRADE UPDATE
April trade data was released last week by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Economic Research Service (ERS). Beef exports totaled 237 million pounds in April, a decrease of -9% from the prior year. Lower shipments in April were seen to Canada (-14%), China (-68%), Taiwan (-19%), and Mexico (-10%) while higher exports were seen to Japan (+8%) and South Korea (+15%). Year-to-date through April, beef exports are down -4% to 951 million pounds. Beef imports totaled 475 million pounds in April, up +45% from last year. Higher beef imports were seen from Australia (+33%), Brazil (+309%), and New Zealand (+49%). Through the first four months of the year, beef imports are up +28% to nearly two billion pounds.
CORN MARKET TRENDS
The corn market has displayed some surprising weakness during the last six weeks. Nearby futures prices averaged $4.47 per bushel in May, down from $4.71 in April and the lowest monthly average since last December. This comes during a crop year with the lowest calculated corn availability for livestock and poultry feed since 2018. Corn available for animal feed is expected to be down -6% to -8% depending on where the assumption for corn inventory is on September 1 this year along with industrial and export clearances this crop year.
Livestock Monitor (pdf)