ago . The typical seasonal pattern for beef in cold storage is for levels to generally decline during the first part of the year before rising the second half of the year . This year , beef in cold storage stayed above 525 million lbs . for the first four months .”
Retail beef prices are near record high as consumers grapple with inflation .
“ However , all proteins are higher priced and the ratio of retail beef price to retail broiler chicken and pork prices is actually lower now compared to six months ago ,” Peel says . “ Still , we watch for indications that consumers are ‘ trading down ’ from the most expensive beef cuts to cheaper value cuts .” For perspective , according to LMIC , retail beef prices were $ 7.67 / lb . in March , up $ 1.20 or 18.6 % from a year earlier . Retail pork prices were record high at $ 4.84 / lb . in March , which was 16.1 % or 67 ¢ higher than last year .
The retail broiler price in March was the second highest on record at $ 1.72 / lb ., an increase of 11.7 % or 18 ¢ from a year earlier . The retail broiler composite price was record high at $ 2.32 / lb ., up 15.5 % (+ 31 ¢) year over year .
Beef Exports Continue Strong
Even so , international demand for U . S . beef remains on a blistering pace , setting another new value record in March , according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U . S . Meat Export Federation ( USMEF ).
Beef exports totaled 126,285 metric tons ( mt ) in March , up 1 % from a year ago , the third most on record , while value climbed 33 % to a record $ 1.07 billion . First-quarter exports increased 6 % to 353,852 mt . Value in the first quarter was 41 % more than last year at just over $ 3 billion . continued on page 44
EFFICIENCY PAYS
For over 50 years , O ’ Connor Farms has focused on efficiency at all levels of the production chain . From the bulls and replacement females we market , to our custom feedlot and meat business , our Limousin genetics are built to be efficient every step of the way .
“ Where function meets quality .”
FRANK PHELPS • cell : 937 / 539-1442 8807 Township Rd . 98 • Belle Center , Ohio 43310-9551 email : frankph @ watchtv . net
“ Home of the OCNR Prefix ” Breeding Performance Limousin Genetics Since 1971
• JULY 2022
WZRK
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Purebred • Red • Homo Polled S : HUNT Credentials 37C ET
D : WZRK Miss Tuffenuff CE : 12 BW : -0.8 WW : 70 YW : 108
MK : 32 CM : 8 SC : 1.2 DC : 18 YG : -0.36 RE : 0.97 MB : 0.24 $ MI : 63 With milk , marbling and mainstream terminal index in the top 1 % and five other traits within the top 5 %, this red , homozygous polled , Credentials son will sire stout and powerful cattle .
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• Stout Spring Yearling & 2-Year-Old Bulls
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