Fed cattle prices fall as heifer slaughter surges and China export concerns grow

Fed cattle on the cash-negotiated market traded $204 per hundredweight in the South last week, $4 lower than the week prior. In the North, cattle traded $208 per hundredweight, down $2 to $5. Dressed trade was $7 per hundredweight lower at $335 in the North.

The estimated slaughter for the week was 564,000 head, 27,000 fewer than the previous week and 34,000 fewer than the same time last year.

Official slaughter data released Thursday for the week ending March 29 showed dressed steer weights 6 pounds lower from the week prior and 21 pounds heavier than a year ago. Dressed heifer weights were 6 pounds heavier than the week prior at 876 pounds and 28 pounds heavier than a year ago.

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