Monthly closeouts from Kansas feed yards took an unseasonally early drop in August and now seem poised to fall to the seasonal low in the fall.
August closeouts also fell below last year and the 2019-2023 average.
The data come from a monthly survey of select feedlots around Kansas designed to provide the performance of the “average” Kansas feedlot. The data are given to the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver, which compiles the numbers and publishes the results in graph form on its website.
AUGUST CLOSEOUTS DROP
It’s important to note that the timing of the summer peak in feedlot closeouts, or sales of slaughter-ready cattle to the packing plant can vary a little. While the 2019-2023 average puts the seasonal peak in closeout numbers in August, last year, it took place in July, as it appears to have done this year.
It’s entirely possible that monthly closeouts from this average Kansas feedlot could surge again, producing a double top on an LMIC line graph. However, historically, once monthly sales to packers have peaked in the summer, they continue declining into the fall low.
That fall low typically happens in October, according to the 2019-2023 average, but last year it occurred in November.
The average Kansas feed yard sold, or closed out, 4,262 head of fed cattle in August, down 920, or 17.8%, from 5,182 in July (which may also turn out to be the 2025 high), down 364, or 7.87%, from 4,626 head in August 2024 and down 1,119, or 20.8%, from the previous five-year average of 5,381.
FINAL WEIGHTS RISE
The data also showed that exit weights of fed steers and heifers rose in August and remain elevated from 2024 and the previous five-year average.
The average final weight of steers from the average Kansas feedlot on their way to the packing plant in August was 1,508 pounds, up 15, or 1.00%, from 1,493 a month earlier, up 25, or 1.69%, from 1,483 a year earlier and up 79, or 5.53%, from the average of 1,429 pounds.
The average weight of heifers exiting the average Kansas feedlot in August was 1,350 pounds, up 15, or 1.12%, from 1,335 pounds in July, up 43, or 3.29%, from 1,307 pounds a year earlier and up 66, or 5.14%, from the previous five-year average of 1,284 pounds.
On average steer and heifer weights should continue an upward bias through the end of the year. It’s possible that by the end of the year, one or both could take a one-month dip in exit weights, but the general trend should be higher.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers last week ranged from $230.70 per cwt to $241.00, compared with the previous week’s range of $238.09 to $244.00 per cwt. FOB dressed steers and heifers went for $360.27 per cwt to $375.71, compared with $373.45 to $379.73.
The USDA choice cutout Friday was up $0.35 per cwt at $365.57 while select was up $2.06 at $346.39. The choice/select spread narrowed to $19.18 from $20.89 with 105 loads of fabricated product and 18 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef as $429.89 per cwt, and 50% beef was $137.00.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were unchanged at $1.00 to $1.20 a bushel over the Dec corn contract, which settled at $4.13, down $0.05 1/4.
No live cattle delivery notices were posted.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Thursday was $367.92 per cwt, up $0.57. This compares with Friday’s Oct contract settlement of $375.50, up $1.47.