Cull cow and cow-beef prices have slowly declined from their peak. Auction prices in the Southern Plains peaked at $187 per cwt and have since declined to about $172 in early August. National average cutter cow values have declined from about $156 to $142 per cwt over the same period. While prices have declined, they remain higher than last year. Cow beef markets have declined in price along with the live cow market. The boxed cow-beef cutout has declined from about $361 to $353 per cwt over the last two months. Wholesale 90 percent boneless lean beef has declined about $8 per cwt over the same time period to $456 per cwt.
Cow culling is poised to increase, seasonally, led by larger dairy cow slaughter. For the year, dairy cow slaughter is up 4.6 percent, or 66,300 head, compared to last year. Weekly culling tends to increase by about 10 percent from mid-year to Fall. The larger dairy herd should support the increase in culling and likely a larger than normal seasonal increase.
Beef cow slaughter remains historically small. After experiencing its seasonal mid-year increase, slaughter has begun to decline, with the week of July 25th only 36,500, one of the smallest non-holiday slaughter weeks on record. Over the last 4 weeks, total cow slaughter has been 2,500 head below last year. For the year to date, weekly total cow slaughter is 4,500 head lower than last year. The year-over-year decline in beef cow slaughter is narrowing.
Cow slaughter should continue to increase seasonally as dairy cow slaughter remains close to last year’s levels. Beef cow slaughter should remain below last year but increase into Fall after calf weaning. Beef demand remains strong, which will keep prices at historically high levels. But it’s worth remembering that cull cow prices tend to decline through the end of the year. Overall tight supplies kept cow prices from declining last year, and tight supplies this year will moderate any potential decline.
Recommended citation format: Anderson, David. “Cull Cow Prices Continue Slow Slide.” Southern Ag Today 6(34.2). August 18, 2026. Permalink
