Cattle prices reached yearly highs

Cattle prices for slaughter strengthened for the third consecutive week and hit their highest level so far this year, amid a spell of rains that prevented planned shipments from several ranches. As a result, plants had to raise their list prices by 10 cents to secure raw material, now paying US$3.80 per kilo carcass weight for standard males and US$3.60 for fat cows. As usual, producers with feedlot cattle and higher volumes secure premiums above these list prices.