Boxed beef prices moved higher on Friday, January 2, following the New Year’s Day holiday, with both Choice and Select cutouts posting gains after six consecutive down days. Choice increased $2.52 to $349.97, and Select rose $4.54 to $346.92, narrowing the spread to $3.05, down from $5.07 on Wednesday, December 31. Load volume totaled 85, significantly lower than Wednesday’s 211 loads, likely due to the holiday schedule.
Compared to Wednesday, primal values were mixed. The rib moved lower to $483.45 (from $486.54), while chucks rose to $323.97 (from $319.85). Rounds increased to $309.42 (from $306.82), and loins edged up to $433.51 (from $429.01). Briskets were nearly steady at $309.99 (vs. $310.47), plates rose slightly to $236.79 (from $234.97), and flanks were nearly unchanged at $164.72 (vs. $164.16).
