While choice boxed beef is likely to drop from the pre-Memorial Day highs, the question is one of how far and how fast wholesale beef prices may drop in the coming weeks. In any event, the strength in choice boxed beef sets the stage for stronger summer beef demand.

Packers have enjoyed better margins recently as fed cattle prices have not responded in similar fashion as boxed beef prices rose. However, it is important to remember that virtually all of the wholesale beef price increase has been in the choice market. The choice-select spread has widened which limits the impact of higher wholesale values in the fed cattle market.  

While choice boxed beef values have increased over $10 per cwt. in May, the wider choice-select spread limits the potential increase in fed cattle price to less than $4 per cwt. Despite the potential, fed cattle prices have weakened from highs at the beginning of May to current levels under $125 per cwt. 

May into June is a difficult period for a fed cattle rally as slaughter numbers increase seasonally. The last three weeks, fed slaughter (steers and heifers) has increased over 4 percent compared to the previous several weeks.

However, steer and heifer slaughter in May is down nearly 3 percent from the same period last year. Unexpectedly large beef cow slaughter since mid-March has contributed to more seasonal slaughter pressure in May.

If boxed beef holds stronger into the summer, fed cattle prices will likely maintain higher summer values than are currently expected. 

Feeder cattle prices have been on the defensive all spring due to a combination of demand and supply factors.

Feedlot demand for feeders has been tempered this spring under the weight of record corn prices and continuing feeding losses. The prospects for sharply lower corn prices should support feedlot demand for feeder cattle into the third quarter of the year. Recent concerns over delayed corn plantings were largely erased with the tremendous corn plantings progress in the past two weeks. 

Larger feedlot placements in March and April reflected the continuing effects of drought reduced forage supplies and lingering winter weather. The jump in placements was more a question of short term timing than a trend for coming months.

May placements will likely be down as feeder supplies continue to tighten for the remainder of the year. Poor forage conditions and delayed forage growth continues to prompt beef cow liquidation and limit summer stocker demand.  

Recent warm weather and improved moisture conditions in many regions is expected to pull beef cow slaughter down and jump start some summer stocker demand.

Derrell S. Peel is a livestock marketing specialist with Oklahoma State University Extension. This originally appeared in the Cow/Calf Corner Newsletter.