Current. Relevant. Quality-driven.
For nearly 10 years, Paul Dykstra has written a bi-weekly market column for the brand, these past six years as the CAB Insider. He shares current market updates, trends and observations with a closer look at the cattle market from the beef-product side than you can find anywhere else. Yes, there’s an emphasis on the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, and you will find the latest research exploring carcass quality. We want you to be the first to know all of this important industry information, to help bring even more value to your herd.
The man on the inside
Paul Dykstra is the beef cattle specialist for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. A native of Colorado, Paul grew up on a commercial cow calf ranch in western Colorado and later earned a degree in animal science from Colorado State University. Paul worked as a feedyard manager for the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., before joining the brand’s supply development team in 2002.
Paul combines his experience and knowledge to work closely with ranchers and feedyard managers to raise Angus cattle using the best management practices to enhance profitability by producing quality beef.
READ THE LATEST INSIDERS
Continued growth and demand
The passing of December holidays signals the end of late-year market popping demand for marbling-rich middle meats. Carcass cutout values for those items shift back towards normalized levels with notable seasonal changes.
read moreCarcass and maternal traits go hand in glove
More research shows marbling is not correlated to other traits, supporting its possible to have maternal function and carcass quality in one animal. Late December is showing more typical Choice grading trends.
read moreCarcass value continues to motivate sellers
In this edition of the CAB Insider, Paul Dykstra shares fed cattle prices are up $2 this week. Tyson Finney plant is back to harvesting. USDA Choice grade percentages are still dropping, emphasizing consumers demand for quality beef.
read moreSign of the times
There has been a 7.4% increase in heifers harvested this year, while steers are down 0.4%. History shows fed heifers post higher marbling scores on average, yet we don’t see that reflected in the recent marbling trend.
read moreCull cows and the lean market
Paul Dykstra shares the cattle market is seeing impressive recovery since the fire in August. China’s protein needs shift towards beef since their pork industry’s onslaught of ASF, causing disruption in typical U.S. beef imports.
read moreSquaring carcass value and calf prices
Paul Dykstra gives a market update, sharing the fed cattle prices are on a seasonal upward trend. Weaning and shipping have hit cattle country and producers must decide—to sell or retain ownership. Paul breaks down the numbers.
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