The first half of 2023 has certainly seen significant changes in cattle and beef markets. Prices are higher across the board as tighter cattle numbers and declining beef supplies push markets towards or beyond record levels. Remaining drought areas in the central and southern plains continue to shrink with continuing impacts on the regions but less impact nationally on cattle markets.
Beef production in the first 24 weeks of the year is down 4.9% from the 2022 record pace. In the last four weeks of data, beef production is down 5.3% year over year. Yearling (steer + heifer) slaughter is…
