US Cattle Weights Contract

Average slaughter weights for US cattle climbed by roughly 7% to 1,363 pounds between 2006 and 2016. Rising feed costs and periodic droughts reduced US cattle numbers forcing the cattle industry to economize. Beefier cattle was the result. However, the pendulum is finally swinging in the opposite direction. Average cattle weights declined to a 3-year low in May as greater cattle supply and US demand pushed more lower-weight cattle to market.