2014 has been a record year for Pacific Northwest cattle prices, which have averaged over $200 per hundredweight (cwt) for 500- to 600-lb steers since March of this year, which is 72% above the 5-year average price of $130 per cwt (Fig 1). Average prices for 2014 are forecast to range from $212 to $215 per cwt, while the 2015 forecast ranges from $209 to $219 per cwt (Fig 2).
PNW steers in the 600- to 700-lb range also had record high prices, at $200 per cwt in June, 2014, 68% above the 5-year average price of $119 per cwt (Fig. 3). Forecast prices for this weight class are predicted to range from $176 to $178 per cwt for 2014, and $178 to $183 per cwt for 2015 (Fig. 4). These and other market price projections are updated regularly on the Livestock Markets page of Idaho AgBiz.
Source:uidaho.edu