Brownfield Ag News

Brownfield's Meghan Grebner and Mississippi State University's Josh Maples look at live steer prices, jobs, and GDP in this episode of the Weekly Livestock Market Update.

Market highlights:

Live steer prices averaged $221.94/cwt for the 5-market average which was up $5.62 from a week ago. The June live cattle futures contract was up $3.18 from a week ago to $211.43/cwt, and the May feeder cattle futures price was up $4.36 per cwt on the week to $294.88. Choice box beef was at $344.48 at the end of this week, which is up $11 from last week. Cash hogs were up $1.62 to $88.21/cwt. February lean hog futures were up 15 cents to $92.95/cwt on the week. The pork cutout value was up $3.39 from a week ago, to $99.42/cwt this week.

Weekly Slaughter:

At the end of the week, cattle slaughter was 559,000 head, up 4,000 head from last week, and down 62,000 head from the same week last year. Hog slaughter was 2.49 million head, up 2 percent or 56,000 from the previous week and up 83,000 head (3 percent) compared to year ago.

Cattle Prices:

The 5-area live cattle price hit $221.94 on Friday, a record high. This week had 3 of the highest daily price averages on record. 500-600 pound steers in Oklahoma City averaged $365 per cwt this week. 700-800 pound steers were at $286. These are really strong prices for cattle amid really tight supplies.

Jobs Report and Quarterly GDP:

The latest job report showed nonfarm employment increased by 177,000 jobs during April. This was lower than in March but higher than was expected pre-report. The unemployment rate remained at 4.2 percent and the labor-force participation rate was 62.6 percent. This report represents data collected during April.

The Commerce Department released their initial GDP estimate for the first quarter last week. The report showed an estimated decline in gross domestic product (GDP) declined 0.3 percent during the first 3 months of 2025. This is the lowest quarterly rate since early 2022 and was below pre-report estimates. GDP is the total value of products and services.

Importantly, imports are subtracted from GDP. Imports of products were very high in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 41.3 percent, as consumers, distributors, etc., tried to get purchases in ahead of the tariffs being implemented. The subtraction of these large levels of imports was the primary contributor to the low GDP number. Consumer spending declined from the 4th quarter of 2024 but was still relatively strong.

Next Week’s Reports:

ERA Monthly Trade Data

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On this latest episode, we’ll learn about an outlook on the farm bill; potential impacts of losing USDA research; waiting on trade agreements; corn leafhopper detected; planting updates from across the country; Chinese phosphate concerns; and ag retailers addressing H-2A concerns.

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Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the end-of-week gains in hogs, cattle, wheat, and soybeans, and the mostly higher finish in corn.

Closing numbers:

» July corn $4.69 down $.03 and 1/4

» July soybeans $10.58 up $.07 and 3/4

» July soybean meal $296.90 up $2.60

» July soybean oil 49.43 down 27 points

» July Chicago wheat $5.43 up $.12

» June live cattle $211.10 up $1.45

» June lean hogs $99.35 up $1.17

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On this episode of Outdoor Adventures, Brownfield’s Brent Barnett sits down with Spencer Bauer from River Certified for a conversation about springtime catfishing. Spencer breaks down how he recently caught a near 50-pound flathead, and they discuss strategies on fishing the spillway at Lake Red Rock in Iowa.

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Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the higher starts in soybeans, corn, wheat, and cattle, and the mixed start for hogs.

What to watch:

» Soybeans and corn are watching planting.

» Wheat has support from the lower dollar.

» Cattle are up on the week's direct trade.

» Hogs continue to question demand.

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Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the daily gains in soybeans and the mixed closes for corn, wheat, cattle, and hogs.

Closing numbers:

» July corn $4.72 and ¼ down $.03 and 1/4

» July soybeans $10.50 and ¼ up $.05 and 3/4

» July soybean meal $294.30 down $3.70

» July soybean oil 49.70 up 73 points

» July Chicago wheat $5.31 up ¼ cent

» June live cattle $209.65 up $1.25

» June lean hogs $98.17 down $.10

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About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the higher starts in cattle and corn and the mixed opens for soybeans, wheat, and hogs.

What to watch:

» Soybeans and corn are watching U.S. planting.

» Wheat's monitoring winter wheat conditions.

» Cattle are waiting for the rest of the week's direct trade.

» Hogs are adjusting spreads with demand questions.

Connect with Brownfield Ag News:

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About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Headlines on today’s episode include: Lindberg addresses ag trade deficit during confirmation hearing, Ag Secretary Rollins comments on workforce reductions, Second crop corn conditions favorable in Brazil, Mizzou economist says fuel retailers still seek E15 certainty, USDA launches complaint portal, and Tar spot is not much of a concern for South Dakota farmer.

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Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the down days for soybeans and cattle and the mixed sessions in corn, wheat, and hogs.

What to Watch:

» May corn $4.67 and ¼ up $.06 and 3/4

» May soybeans $10.34 and ¾ down $.06 and 1/4

» May soybean meal $290.00 down $.50

» May soybean oil 48.58 down 27 points

» May Chicago wheat $5.13 up $.07 and 1/4

» June live cattle $208.40 down $1.80

» May lean hogs $91.92 down $.62

Learn more about what's happening in the agriculture markets here: https://brownfieldagnews.com/markets/

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Brownfield Ag News creates and delivers original content across multiple media platforms. Brownfield is the largest and one of the oldest agricultural news networks in the country, carrying agricultural news, markets, weather, commentary, and feature content.

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