US Beef and Pork Markets Face Seasonal Challenges

US beef market analysts reported that a holiday‑shortened week and the start of grilling season did not boost the Choice beef cutout, which held at $392.85 per cwt, roughly unchanged from last year. Fed cattle prices remain about $30 per cwt higher than in June, while USDA estimates show the weekly beef harvest down 84,000 head from the prior week. Carcass weights rose to an average of 900 lb, 30 lb heavier than a year ago, and a new World screwworm case in a calf attracted headlines.

In the pork sector, the cutout briefly passed the $100 per cwt resistance level before retreating, with the carcass base price averaging $90.69 per cwt. Lean hog futures continued to decline despite the price rise. USDA estimates placed the hog harvest at 2.143 million, slightly lower than the previous week, and hog weights slipped marginally. The World Pork Expo opened in Des Moines, gathering producers and industry leaders.

Both reports draw on USDA NASS and AMS data and reflect modest seasonal fluctuations rather than a sharp market shift.