Cattle weights rise in what should be a seasonal downtrend.

The weekly Actual Slaughter report detailed meat production statistics for the second week of April.

Dressed steer weights rose +3 lbs. in the latest week to 922. Dressed heifers were +2 lbs. to now 851. Rising weights in what should be a seasonal downtrend is a problem. Compared with last year steers went from +27 lbs. to now +28. Heifers increased sharply, from +21 lbs. to now +26.

Weights are adding back 3.1% to beef production separate from slaughter numbers.

Dressed barrow/gilt weights in this week averaged 214 lbs., unchanged from the prior week. Compared with last year there was no change either, -1 lb.

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