LAKEWOOD, Colo. — National cutter cow values commenced a strong 2nd quarter of 2022, climbing from starting the year at $52 per cwt. to $75 per cwt. This is the highest value since late 2015. The five-year average of 2016-2020 averaged a cutter cow price of $55 per cwt. nationally across all weights.
Other cow quality grades have improved values as well. Premium white cows, or those fed a concentrated diet before heading to slaughter, has seen a 25% increase in prices compared to last year. Breakers (75% lean) are up 29%, and boners (85% lean) are up 14%.
Cow cutout values mirror the strong cull values. Last week the boxed cow cutout was $230 per cwt., 31% ahead of the five-year average and 21% higher than last year. Strong demand for beef has helped support these numbers as well as consumers buying more ground beef, seasonally. The cutout offers a snapshot of all the quality grades.
More specifically, trimmings from lean cows are fed into the ground 90% lean beef markets, which has seen higher prices since the summer of 2021. Lean 90% ground beef averaged $363 per cwt. compared to the five-year average of $222 per cwt. These prices are expected to remain elevated through summer both because of time of year and relative value of other beef products in the meat case.
State Extension Services in Cooperation with the USDA
Currently, 26 state Extension services participate in the LMIC – Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
— Livestock Marketing Information Center