Livestock Marketing Information Center

MEAT & DAIRY TRADE

February trade data was released by USDA FAS on April 4^th, and USDA ERS provided carcass weight data the following day. Carcass weight trade data for meat and poultry was mixed, but held few surprises. Beef imports were still large up 24% from last year but backed off substantially from the previous month as Brazil shipments fell by more than half the previous month. Brazil tends to export to the U.S. heavily in the first month of the year to fill the quota early. Beef exports were down only 3% and showed promise that the rest of the world is still willing to pay for expensive U.S. beef.

CATTLE DRESSED WEIGHTS COUNTERSEASONAL MOVES

Steer dressed weights have been on an upward trajectory for the last eight weeks, creating the most peculiar pattern for this time of year. This week steer dressed weights were 923, 14 pounds below the start of the year and 14 pounds higher than early February. Heifer dressed weights have followed a similar pattern and are sitting nearly even with the heavy weights set at the start of the year of 851 pounds.

CPI & JOBS REPORT

 The March Jobs report boasted a favorable non-farm employment increase of 303,000 jobs, a 31% increase over the 12 month moving average.  Increases occurred in health care, government, and construction. The average wage for hourly earnings increased 12 cents and over the past 12 months have increased 4.1% in the private sector.