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This week in beef markets is a repeat of last week, this market is shaping up to be a classic holiday market.  The middle meats, strips, ribeyes and tenderloins all moving up again next week.  Don’t expect any relief on middle meat pricing until the end of the year.  This continues the advice to buy now, waiting will cost you money.  Also same as last week, moving lower chucks and rounds, briskets coming off a bit, and grinds continue lower.  With turkey taking center stage the next two weeks we may not see as middle meats moving up as fast, but they won’t be coming down.  Productions holding up pretty well, 619K head harvested last week, up from 615 the week prior, still with very large animals, running 38 lbs. heavier than last year.  

Episode Sources: 

• Swine Reports | Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov)
• Barchart.com | Commodity, Stock, and Currency Quotes, Charts, News & Analysis
• Cheese Reporter - Cheese Prices
• Publication | Broiler Hatchery | ID: gm80hv35d | USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System (cornell.edu)
• Report-Estimated Weekly Meat Production Under Federal Inspection (SJ_LS712) | MMN (usda.gov)
• Report-National Steer & Heifer Estimated Grading Percent (NW_LS196) | MMN (usda.gov)
• Market News - Dairy - Home (usda.gov)
• 2022–2024 Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (usda.gov)

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The beef market continues to increase in middle meat pricing. Rounds, chucks, and grinds are finally moving lower. Better pricing is to come.
Chicken production continues strong and pricing has finally settled. This market may have more to give in the next few weeks. Six new cases of Avian Flu were reported, totaling 780k birds.
Pricing on grains is up, but nothing alarming.
Pork bellies closed down from last week and the rest of the pork complex is looking great.
The CME is down overall this week.

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Happy Halloween! 🎃
Beef production and demand are both strong. Middle meats, strips, ribeyes, and tenderloins will continue to have strong pricing, and with the additional production, other cuts should move lower.
Chicken production continues strong and pricing could move lower. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad Avian Flu news.
All of our grains are looking great.
Pork bellies are volatile. This is not the time to buy bacon. The rest of the pork market is behaving much more normally.

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The beef complex is moving higher, almost every cut is moving higher next week, lead by middle meats, strong moves higher in ribeyes and tenderloins, strips moving higher as well.  This is the time of year to buy early, waiting will cost you money.  Beef production last week was 608K head up from the 586K the week prior.  Chucks and rounds moving higher, grinds too.  I think this will be a typical holiday season when comes to pricing, we will see increases right into mid December.  

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The CME has mellowed out for much more normal weekly numbers.
Beef harvest is way down, pushing pricing higher overall. Most cuts are up for the week, so buy what you need now. Waiting will cost you money.
Avian Flu is back, affecting 2.7 million egg-laying chickens, and will stick around with the colder weather. Chicken production continues strong, and pricing for the next week is down overall. Look for a few more weeks of declines.
Pork bellies are up this week. Buy what you need now, there will be buying opportunities to come. The rest of the pork complex looks great. Availability is good and pricing is stable.

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The decline in dairy prices continues this week, through Thursday, barrel is down 15, block is down 11 and butter is down 5, since the recent peak in late mid-September barrel has dropped 72 cents, block is down 34 and butter has dropped 38. That is a pretty major reset in just three weeks.  We may have another week or so before this market hits bottom but good value has returned to the dairy markets.  

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The dairy market broke last week and finally moved lower. Buy what you need as values will be improving.
Beef production was slightly up last week. Middle meats are moving higher for the holiday season. Rounds and grinds are declining.
In poultry, chicken pricing is moving lower on all cuts. It's a great time to feature chicken.
The grain markets are a bit spooked by unrest in the Middle East. Everything is moving higher, but we will continue to monitor.
Pork is well supplied and pricing is steady to lower. As always, pork is a great protein value.

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The dairy market broke this week and all segments are down. This market is still upside down, but will hopefully correct in the next few weeks.
Beef demand is better than expected. Packers need to keep pricing as high as they can. Buy what you need, though other than middle meats, pricing is looking better.
Chicken production continues to climb. Pricing is moving lower on wings, random breasts, and tenders. No new Avian Flu reports this week.
Pork bellies closed up this week, but we should be at the end of the push higher. Pork production is strong, and pricing is good on loins, butts, and ribs. Menu pork!

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Through Thursday barrel pricing up 18 cents totaling 41 cents over the last month, and 34 cents over the block.  That’s just crazy. Block traditionally trades about 10 over the barrel so this market is just upside down.  Speaking of the block, we are actually down 2 for the week for some welcome relief from this recent run.  Hopefully with will all top out soon.  

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Labor Day Weekend shortened beef production last week. The market is moving lower overall with a few exceptions. Buy what you need, better prices are ahead.
Chicken production continues strong as chicken is the protein of choice for consumers. Wings are coming down just a bit, breasts have some strength, and tenders are in tight supply and expensive. We are at three weeks with no new Avian Flu reports.
Grains are looking good.
Pork bellies closed down a dollar from last week. Production is ramping up, so we should see good pricing continue.
The dairy market is up again and the current run isn't done. 

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The beef market saw some welcome demand going into Labor Day Weekend. Now we should see some moves lower over the next couple of weeks. Buy what you need now, but it will be cheaper if you can wait. Strip loins are the buy in middle meats.
Chicken production continues strong and egg set numbers are up. Wings are moving lower again, while breasts and tenders are holding steady. Fall should shape up to be a good season for fresh chicken. No new cases of Avian Flu were reported.
Export demand in grains is seeing a 38% increase which is driving the price up slightly. We're keeping an eye on a new trade war between Canada and China.
Pork bellies closed slightly down from last week but should continue to move lower. Loins are moving slightly higher and butts are holding steady. As always, it's a good time to menu pork.

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The beef market is showing some strength, with ribeyes and tenderloins on the rise again for next week. Grinds have been leading the market, with chucks and rounds following suit. I’d be in a buy-just-what-you-need mode for next week as I do think things will adjust lower as we move into September.
Chicken production is up 3% over last year. Wings and tenders are holding steady and breasts are moving higher. No new cases of Avian Flu were reported this week.
Grain harvest has begun and everything is still looking great. Experts are wondering just how big this year's corn crop will be.
Pork bellies are down a dollar this week and I think there is more downside to come. Loins, butts, and hams are all great values this week. Production is heading higher coming out of summer, so continue to menu pork.
Dairy was a wild ride this week but settled with a small swing up.

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Restrained beef production is keeping the beef market slow-moving. Grinds, chucks, and rounds continue to demand premium prices. Ribeyes and tenderloins have hit bottom and are moving higher. Strip loins are the buy in middle meats.
Chicken production continues ahead of last year. Wing pricing is steady for next week, a big change after weeks of declining costs. Breasts and tenders are moving higher. Only one new case of Avian Flu was reported, affecting 880 birds.
Pork bellies closed lower after last week's surprise increase. This should continue as production will increase coming out of the summer. Ribs are moving lower and may be in "bargain territory" soon. Butts and loins are the buy in pork.

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The CME has been on a tear with barrel pricing reaching levels we haven't seen in over two years. This market will continue to move higher. Get in front of your demands.
Beef production numbers are down and demand is too. Pricing is softening on middle meats while grinds, chucks, and rounds hold the market up the best they can. We will be dealing with this higher-expense market for a while.
Some good news, there were no new Avian Flu cases for this week. In poultry, wings are down again while breasts are moving higher. Production is up, so inventory is good.
In pork, bellies are up this week after crashing last week. Butts and loins are a great value. Ribs are holding steady. The next move in pork should be lower.

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There is not much pushing the beef market to move higher at the moment. Grinds, chucks, and rounds are holding steady, while strip loins continue to lose value. Ribeyes and tenderloins have found some support. Buy what you need knowing this market is not heading higher for now.
Chicken wings are down again this week and breasts are moving higher. It's a good time to feature chicken. Only one new report of Avian Flu this week out of Florida.
Grains continue to be a positive for the food industry. 
Pork bellies are down this week, after a very short-lived rally. Expect production to ramp up in September, but for now, things are pretty reasonable. Menu pork!

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Beef production continues to be restrained with the summer heat and low demand. Packers need to keep pricing up as much as they can. Strip loins are moving lower. Ribeyes and tenderloins have gone as low as they probably can for now.
Chicken production continues strong and wing prices are lower for next week, finally!
Corn closed below $4 for the first time in 6 months. This summer's crops are looking great.
The pork belly rally continues, closing this week at $153. Buy what you need to get you to September. There is plenty of pork available.

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The beef market continues to correct on middle meats, especially the strip loin. Ribeyes and tenderloins are coming down as well. Grinds continue to be the focus with chucks and rounds holding on pricing.
Poultry production is up 2% over last year, finally meeting the strong demand. If this continues, we may see the market ease up a bit. Four new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 301k birds.
Pork bellies are up again this week, with a few more weeks of increases expected. Butts, loins, and ribs are holding steady and continue to be a good buy.
We'll keep an eye on excessive heat and how that could reduce the milk output.

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This summer, it's all about ground beef. Strips, ribeyes, and tenderloins are seeing price declines, so delaying the buy on these cuts could save money. Rounds, chucks, and thin meats are headed to the grinder to support ground beef demand, so expect these prices to stay supported and availability to be reduced.
The poultry market is steady in wings, randoms, and tenders, making these a good protein value. Six new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 3.1 million birds. Five more humans have contracted the virus, with more being tested and isolated.
Pork bellies have finally moved up, after the long-promised rise. It's a good time to keep bacon in the freezer. Loins, butts, and ribs are all steady to moving lower. Pork remains a great protein buy.
Grains are all looking good and the CME is moving lower.

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Happy Independence Day!
Beef production continues to be restrained keeping supplies tight and buyers chasing product. Some middle meats are coming down, which might continue. Chucks, rounds, and ground beef are all moving higher.
Chicken pricing and demand are strong, especially in wings. Keep as many wings on hand as you can.
Bellies continue to be a good buy in pork. Loins and ribs are settling in at good numbers as well.

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Beef supply remains tight. Demand for middle meats was up, thanks to Father's Day. Pricing on most everything is up and firm, but this market should move lower after July 4th. Buy what you need now, waiting will cost money.
Poultry demand is still strong and demand is keeping things moving. Wing pricing continues to move up. Avian Flu is not done, 92k turkeys and one human dairy farm worker have been reported to have the virus.
The pork market is swinging wildly, but things look good price-wise.
We will be taking some time off and will see you back on July 5th! Happy Summer!

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Beef pricing is being driven higher by short supply. Expect pricing to continue to move higher. Buy what you need now, waiting will cost you money. Hopefully, we'll see the increases stop after the Fourth of July.
Poultry production can't keep up with demand. Pricing is moving higher on pretty much everything, except breasts being down a few pennies. Wings are the highest they've been in two years and demand will continue to push that price higher. Keep ahead of your needs in poultry.
Pork production continues strong and there is product to be purchased at good values. Pricing is steady to a bit higher on most items.
All good news on the grains front.

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Avian Flu just won't go away. This week, 4.2 million egg-laying chickens were lost to the virus. The Netherlands is testing two vaccines, so we'll see how that goes. This won't cause any shortages in chicken but will increase pricing. With demand remaining strong, this market should continue to move higher.
Beef production was up this week, but the market is still short and pricing is increasing. Waiting to buy will cost you money.
Bellies closed down from last week, but pork production is starting to slow as the weather gets warmer. This should move pricing higher for bellies. Other cuts are holding steady but we think the next move will be higher.
The dairy market finally broke with barrel, block, and butter all down.

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Beef production cutbacks were a bit stronger than I expected with 598K head harvested last week, well down from 622K the week prior. Last year saw 640K head harvested so production going into the summer season is being restrained to push prices higher.  And they are pretty successful looking at the cutout. We have higher prices right rolling in as tightened supplies have done their job and will continue for at least the next several weeks.  This is a time when you need to buy what you need now, waiting will cost you money.  The beef complex is moving higher, pretty much across the board.  Packers have signaled they plan to continue with reduced harvest to keep the market up.  We’ll see how long this continues but right now it is effectively moving prices higher.  

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Beef production cutbacks are off to a slow start. The market is steady to lower. Look for some deals if you have the customer demand to move product.
Poultry demand is strong and production can barely keep up. Pricing is up on all parts and there is more upside to come.
Planting is on track for grains and everything seems to be in good shape.
Pork bellies are up this week but still in a good buy position.  Pork production is strong and inventories are good.
The CME is higher again for the 7th week in a row and it's not slowing down.

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Beef pricing seems to remain the same despite the recent ramped-up production. The market feels flat with demand and pricing is flat to lower. We're heading into Memorial Day with no momentum in the beef market.
Chicken demand is still strong and production is up from last year. Pricing is up overall. This could be an expensive summer for chicken.
There is plenty of pork product and demand is okay. This is keeping prices pretty steady.
The CME does not seem to be slowing down on price increases.

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Beef production was slightly down this week but still in good production numbers. Hopefully, with nice weather, we will see demand pick up. It's a good time to buy and feature beef now before pricing moves higher this summer.
Chicken pricing is steady and demand is strong. There were three new cases of Avian Flu affecting 28,000 birds.
Pork bellies are down this week, but pricing has been jumping around. Pork continues with strong production and availability is good.
The grain markets continue in good shape. The dairy market continues higher.

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Beef production hit numbers we haven't seen in months. This is helping to soften pricing on almost everything except thin meats and grinds.
Chicken pricing is steady and demand is still strong. Only one new case of Avian Flu was reported affecting 104,000 turkeys.
Corn pricing is up and planting continues with good weather keeping things steady. Soy should stay steady to low; wheat is a great value, moving lower this week.
Bellies closed lower this week, butts are staying steady, and loins are inching up. Production numbers are strong.
The CME is moving higher on all fronts.

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The USDA has updated production numbers in beef harvesting for the year. This will be good news for everyone if the production lines get moving. For now, keep product on hand and continue to buy what you need, there may be a bargain or two out there.
Poultry production and demand continue strong, but this week pricing is pausing. Increases are coming. Avian Flu is not going away. April has been the biggest loss month since last winter and we have one more week to go.
There is not much movement in pork pricing this week, but we could see that change this summer. Pork is still a great protein option.

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Beef production continues to be restrained, but cattle are growing in physical size, thanks to cheap corn. Pricing has taken a pause this week with increases coming soon.
Chicken production and demand continue strong. Pricing is moving higher on all products except breasts, which are steady. No new cases of Avian Flu were reported in birds, but two more states have reported the illness in dairy cows.
Pork pricing continues to be favorable for now. Look for a big move higher in bellies this summer. In the meantime, pork is a great protein value.

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Avian flu has spread to dairy cows in six states. Affected milk is being destroyed, but pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption. Three new cases of Avian Flu in chickens were reported, totaling 3.8 million birds. This shouldn't significantly impact availability or pricing, but chicken prices continue to rise weekly.
Beef production is still down and demand is creeping up, putting pressure on the supply chain. Prices on skirts, sirloin flaps, and flanks will keep climbing, especially with Cinco de Mayo coming up. It might be smart to stock up for a few weeks.
Planting begins this month for corn and soybeans. Corn closed yesterday at $4.24. Soy continues to look good. Wheat continues to be well-supplied and market soft.    
Overall pork production is ahead of last year and demand is holding up pretty well.  Bellies closed yesterday at $120, so we're still waiting for that spring increase to start.

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Chicken pricing is moving up again for next week, wings, boneless breasts and tenders are all getting more money.  Production is increasing weekly, but demand is still strong, and everything is getting sold.  Hatch rate is down again for last week to 78.9%.  Anything under 80% is a concern but we are seeing lower hatch rates for several weeks now.  Hoping this turns around quickly.  On the avian flu front, the good news is only one new report affecting 50 birds.  The bad news is the mysterious illness affecting Texas cattle has been identified as Avian Flu, now crossed species in Texas.  

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Beef harvest last week was down to 583K head, below last week’s 599K and last year, we were at 631K head for the week.  This curtailed production is continuing, some major packers are only running four days a week making this market tight.  Expect another week below 600K head this week.  The pull back is having the desired affect for the beef producers.  Product is short and pricing is moving up quickly. There will be a bit of sticker shock next week with pricing on strip loins, top rounds, sirloin flap and skirt steaks, all taking fairly substantial increases for next week. 

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Last week's beef harvest dropped to 583K, continuing a trend of reduced production with some major packers operating only four days a week. Expect another week below 600K. Shortages are driving prices up, particularly for strip loins, top rounds, sirloin flap, and skirt steaks, while brisket prices are expected to decrease after St. Patrick's Day.
Chicken production is up from last year, but demand remains high with no signs of decline. Prices for chicken products, including wings, breasts, and tenderloins, are expected to increase next week. Concerns arise over a hatch rate below 80% in the past month, while three new cases of Avian Flu affecting 31,500 birds, mostly turkeys, serve as a reminder of ongoing risks.
Bellies closed slightly higher at $124 but with plentiful supply, a significant market increase seems unlikely. Butts stabilized after export-driven price hikes, while sold-out hams due to an early Easter may lead to a market decrease, leaving loins as the best protein value.

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Beef harvest continues to stay steady, but well below average compared to last year. Top rounds are moving up quickly while middle meats, loins, and ribeyes continue a steady pattern moving up. Buy what you need.
The corn surplus is expected to support new biojet fuel technology, so we are not seeing it get below $4 as expected. Soy is holding steady and wheat continues the same story from the last couple of weeks.
Poultry pricing stayed pretty steady but should be moving up next week on all chicken products. Demand is strong. Only two new reports of Avian Flu were reported affecting 160 birds.
Bellies moved slightly higher, but we may see this market hang around the $120-125 range for a while. Butts are moving up, loins are a great value, and ribs continue to move higher.

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Grain prices are decreasing, which is good news for food processors and animal production. 
Beef production is being reduced, which has caused prices to rise for most items except for ground beef, which is getting cheaper. 
Chicken production is strong, and prices are unlikely to change in the coming weeks. However, eleven new cases of Avian Flu were reported, which affected 92k birds, mostly turkeys. 
Finally, pork production is abundant, and there is plenty of product available. Of course, loins continue to be a great value.

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Beef harvest is down for another week with expectations of going below 600k next week. Packers are lowering the harvest to keep inventories tight and push prices up. Next week should be a good buy opportunity. The next move will be higher prices for pretty much every item.
Chicken pricing continues on the current trend upward. Only two new cases of Avian Flu were reported, affecting 21,000 turkeys.
Corn is headed towards breaking that below $4 barrier. Soy is bouncing up and down. Wheat is moving lower.
Bellies closed just up from last week, but we still have a little more time before the big move higher starts. Butts are gaining more support, loins are still a great value, and ribs could actually get pricy moving into the summer.

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Beef demand is not keeping up with beef production. Packers have more product than they can move without discounting and they have no interest in discounting. Buy what you need, there isn't much risk to the upside.
Wings continue to increase even after the Super Bowl. Breasts and tenderloins move higher as well. Demand is strong for fresh poultry and production is about on par with last year which will keep pushing chicken higher. Three new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 32,500 turkeys.
Corn closed at $4.19, the lowest it's been in four years. Grains are a bright spot in commodities.
Bellies closed at $1 lower than last week. This market shouldn't move much lower, so buy what you need. Loins are a great value, butts are steady, and ribs are showing great strength.

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Beef demand is not strong. Harvest was up this week, but we shouldn't expect that to last. Buy what you need, you may find a bargain or two.
Chicken wings will hit their peak on Sunday, so pricing will move higher next week. Breasts are holding steady and tenders are moving up. Three new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 102,000 birds.
Corn is down again this week, which is great news. Soy is bouncing up and down and wheat is holding steady. Grains are in a favorable condition.
Bellies are down from last week. There should be a buy window soon, but it will only last a week or two before they start their seasonal move upward. Butts are lower, loins are steady, and ribs are showing some support. Pork production is strong. Always a great time to menu pork.

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Starting with grains this week, corn is moving lower again and it's probably not done. This is good for everyone (except corn farmers). Soy and wheat are in the same mode.
Beef harvest is holding up pretty well, but retailers are not interested in beef at the elevated prices pushed by recent storms. Prices are moving lower on most items, except ground beef, which should continue through February. Still a buy-what-you-need strategy.
Only one new Avian Flu case was reported last week. In poultry, wings are moving higher, tenders are moving up, and breasts are holding steady. Production is about the same as last year and demand is good.
Bellies showed no change this week. They should decline into February. Loins are the best value in protein. Pork production is recovering nicely.

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Beef production recovered nicely after the winter storm disruptions. Packers pushed pricing up pretty quickly, but this doesn't seem sustainable into February. The quick rise prices should move lower towards the end of the month, with middle meats being an exception as they have already bottomed out.
Chicken pricing is moving higher as expected. Production is about 1% higher over last year and the demand is on par. Five new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 313,000 birds.
Bellies are on the rise, but we're hoping to see a small buy window in February before prices move even higher this summer. Butts, ribs, and loins are all still a great value. Pork production rebounded nicely last week.
Grains are in good shape and the CME had a quiet week.

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Multiple storms in the Midwest have turned the beef market a little more quickly than expected. The decline in the middle meats should last one more week. We'll most likely see increases in the last week of January. Next week is the time to buy middle meats, everything else is buy it now, it will cost more money later. 
Chicken is up again for next week with wings, random breasts, and tenders all moving higher right up to the Super Bowl, but this year will be "reasonable" compared to previous years. On the Avian Flu front, it was a pretty quiet week. Let's hope for more continued good news there.
Bellies are up from last week, so if you were waiting to buy bacon in a declining market, you just missed it. Pricing will most likely continue to increase, but butts and loins are still a great value in pork.
Corn and soy harvests yielded more than we assumed. This has pushed pricing down. This will be an interesting market to watch this year.

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Bad winter weather in the Midwest had big effects on beef production. Two major packers idled plants completely and several were only running one shift. This will tighten availability. If you need middle meats, buy what you need. Other cuts will be better to buy sooner than later.

Chicken production was up slightly. Wings, breasts, and tenders are moving higher but chicken is still a good protein buy. Ten new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 1.6 million birds.

Pork bellies closed over $100 this week. With production slightly up and headcount slightly down, plenty of pork is still available at a good value.

There is plenty of corn for food, feed, and fuel. Soy demand is lacking, driving prices lower.

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Happy New Year!

In the beef market, we are seeing the seasonal market correction for ribeyes and tenderloins begin. Buy what you need weekly knowing that next week will probably be a better value. Chucks, rounds, and grinds are moving in the exact opposite way.

Chicken pricing is moving higher this week with an expectation that this will continue. Only two new cases of Avian Flu were reported affecting 1,400 birds. 

Bellies are moving higher and this will probably continue through winter, but pork is still a great value.

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The beef market is moving like it is the end of the year.  Those high flying ribeye's and tenderloins will start to move lower come the first of the year and continue down typically to the end of January, maybe into early February.  

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Beef harvest was up from last week. Middle meats, ribeyes, and tenderloins should see their peak prices before moving lower after the New Year. If you need rounds, chucks, and grinds, buy now.

21 new Avian Flu cases have been reported affecting 2.3 million birds. Pricing in chicken is moving up, but is nothing to be concerned about.

Surprising all of us, bellies closed lower than last week at just $80. The pork complex continues to show great value.

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Beef harvest continues strong through the peak holiday season. Middle meats are moving up again for next week which hopefully means there is nowhere to go but down from here. The value in beef is in rounds, chucks, and grinds. 

We are still seeing new Avian Flu reports with 11 new cases this week affecting over 3 million birds. In chicken, party wings are moving lower while breasts and tenders are holding steady. Chicken is a good protein value. 

Pork bellies closed at $83, down just a bit from last week. We may be at the end of this cheap belly cycle.

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We are in peak holiday season for beef pricing. Harvest was up this week but demand seems to have adjusted to the lower harvest numbers. Hopefully we'll see the market make some big changes after a couple of weeks. There were 13 new Avian Flu reports over the last week affecting 836,000 birds. None of this is good news as chicken flocks and turkeys are taking big hits. Pricing on chicken continues steady and chicken remains a good value in protein despite this unfortunate news. In pork, now is the time to buy bacon. Everything is priced nicely for pork to be a featured value protein. In grains, everything is looking good with good crops coming from the US, Europe, and Australia. In dairy, we can expect pricing to move up as the milk supply tightens.

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In the past two weeks, the Avian Flu removed close to 5 million birds from the food supply. Cases have been confirmed in 26 states so far. We're keeping an eye on the situation. Chicken production and pricing remain similar to past weeks. Middle meats are creeping higher in beef, and rounds, chucks, and grounds are coming down. Briskets have shot up as well. If you need beef, buy now. Pork bellies continue in bargain mode. Corn harvest is done with a record crop and pricing moving lower. Soy is holding steady and wheat has moved a little lower. 

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Beef production is down again from last week and last year. Middle meats are moving up a bit, while the others are due for some lower pricing. Bellies closed at $98 and will most likely stay in this area. Avian Flu has new numbers this week, and they aren't good. Not a trend we want to see. Pricing on chicken is mostly holding steady. Grain harvest is still looking good with exports picking up in corn. Dairy is once again flipping on us. Product is available, but pricing should reduce to spur export demand. Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

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The beef holiday items are all moving higher for next week. We’ve been saying it for months but the lower beef production will continue into next year.  If you are in the market for beef, buy now, next week will cost you more money.  Pork production continues strong and pricing is attractive. Chicken production is down again this week, but pricing continues to move lower. Corn and soy received huge reports from the USDA this week which could continue to drive prices down. Good news on the grain front. Dairy markets are all moving lower with more downside to come, hopefully. 

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