Compared to Thursday, boxed beef prices strengthened on Friday with Choice at $415.41, up $1.00, and Select at $390.00, up $4.16, narrowing the spread to 25.41. Among primals, the chuck climbed to $380.23, setting a new high for the year, while the rib eased slightly to $637.55 from $638.32. The round slipped to $364.92 from $370.68, the loin edged lower to $493.22 from $495.83, and the brisket softened to $337.09 from $340.20. In contrast, the plate firmed to $271.55 from $264.92, while the flank eased slightly to $233.77 from $234.27. For the month, boxed beef posted a record $54.09 August gain, rising in 18 of 22 sessions, the strongest August rally on record.
