US slaughter volume hits historic low for Memorial Day week

This past week’s cattle slaughter in the US was one of the smallest on record for Memorial Day week — if not the smallest. Packers, facing tight supplies of fed cattle, reduced the slaughter to 477,000 head, down 93,000 from the previous week and 62,000 below last year’s holiday-week level.

Live cattle sales in the southern states mostly ranged between US$ 223–225, following some early-week trades at US$ 221–222. In the north, most live sales were reported at US$ 234–237, with late-week deals closing at US$ 236–237. Dressed sales ranged from US$ 368–375, with the bulk of trades at US$ 370. According to The Ag Center, prices were US$ 5–10 higher than the previous week.