By Josh Maples, Assistant Professor & Extension Economist, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

Tight supplies and strong demand are driving all types of cattle to record price levels, including cull cows. The national direct dressed price for 85 percent lean boner cull cows topped $300 per cwt last week for the first time in history (first chart below). Ground beef demand has been strong and is the product most closely associated with lean trim from cull cows. Average U.S. retail ground beef prices topped $6 per pound in June for the first time ever according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The last chart (below) shows 85 percent fresh trimmings price and pounds sold over time. This series is not comprehensive of all trim since it is just looki

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