Rising Beef Rib And Loin Primal Cuts- Ed Czerwein Calls That A Sign Of Spring In Beef Trade Report

The weekly boxed beef trade for week ending February 21 offers several insights about beef and cattle prices may be headed in the near term, according to Ed Czerwein, USDA Market News reporter in Amarillo, Texas.

Czerwein writes "The daily spot Choice box beef cutout ended the week last Fri at 240.31 which was 2.63 hgr. There were 793 loads sold for the week in the daily box beef cutout. It was about 12 percent of the total volume.

"The Comprehensive or weekly avg Ch cutout which includes all types of sales including the daily spot cutout was 239.77 which was 0.30 hgr. There were 6645 total loads sold which was 543 loads hgr than the previous week. The formula sales were at 3347 loads which was 149 loads hgr than last week and are 50 percent of the total loads sold.

"The most recent out-front sales were at 1006 loads which was 259 loads hgr than last week.

"Taking a look at the primal cuts, the choice loin, and rib, were 2-5 hgr while the rnd and chuck primal cut prices were 1-2 lwr. The big item to watch in the upcoming months will be the rib and loin primal cuts that usually see a good increase as we approach the spring grilling season and they are starting to make that move.