MO Dept of Ag-Market News Jefferson City, MO August 21, 2026
Week: 240 Last Week: 240 Last Year: 280
These prices acquired from Missouri producers, Trading as of this Friday morning August 21, trade so far this Friday morning is light with Flat dressed sales 12.00-13.00 lower at 355.00-356.00 with Grid dressed sales inactive. The fed cattle market so far this week has seen sales only reported in the North from mostly 225.00-227.00 and dressed sales mostly at 355.00-356.00, with a few up to 360.00. Southern Plains not being reported because of confidentiality act with Mandatory Price Reporting. Last week's slaughter was 517,000, up 8,000 from previous week and 19,000 less than a year ago. Comprehensive carcass weights, the weighted average for both steers and heifers were at 943 lbs, up 3 lbs from previous week and 25 lbs above last year at this time. Choice boxed-beef has been seeing the "dog days of summer" but with Joslin Plant closing and packers reorganizing along with Labor Day Weekend coming prices have rebounded as boxed-beef has found solid footing with Choice up near 14.00 since last Thursday. Choice boxed-beef on Thursday closed 5.06 lower at 389.93 and Select .43 cents lower at 363.74 with a Choice-Select spread widening to 26.19. Compared to last Thursday’s close with Choice at 375.90 and Select at 349.24. Slaughter Cattle under Federal inspection on Thursday was estimated at 412,000, last week 416,000 and last year 452,000. The hide and offal value from a typical slaughter steer on Thursday was 14.40 per cwt up .08 cents when compared to Wednesday 's value.
Live Sales: Slaughter steers and heifers: (over 90 percent Choice) No Sales
(Note: Weighing conditions some plant delivered weights and some net weights FOB feedlot after a 4 percent shrink. Dressed Carcass Sales: Paid on Hot Carcass Weights) Delivered or Picked up
Steers and Heifers (80 percent Choice) 6 loads Flat Wednesday and Thursday 355.00-356.00.
Grid Dressed Sales: (over 90 percent Choice) No sales .
Source: MO Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service Jefferson City, MO
Greg Harrison, Market Reporter