date:Jan 22, 2014
demand by U.S. beef processors for slaughter-ready cattle, which remain in snug supply after years of drought and industry consolidation. Wholesale prices of beef, meanwhile, continue to make consecutive new record highs for most-common choice and select grades of beef.
Beef processors have more incentive to bid aggressively for cattle in the negotiated markets if retailers are willing to pay up for wholesale beef. This contributed to the record-breaking cash cattle prices last week, with most