Corn, Beef, Golden Corral's Mission?

Speaking of commodity volatility, let's get into the markets.

Grain markets were firm last week and corn led the way.

Most of these markets are trading twenty percent plus above a year ago.

Part of this is due to the Pro Farmer Crop Tour last week.

Do we have a problem with this corn crop? We just might, which we're gonna talk about more with John in a moment.

Dairy markets mixed.

Cheese and butter pretty much range ground at engaging price levels.

But check this out, non-fat dry milk, nine-week highs.

We also got a milk production report on Friday which continued to be encouraging.

In chicken, output last week roughly one and a half percent up versus the same week last year.

That's a far cry from the gains we saw earlier this year however.

Most of the markets were lower.

Two exceptions, boneless skinless thighs and boneless skinless breasts were firm but still historically attractive.

And don't look now, but chicken tenders last week had their lowest weekly average since February two thousand and twenty-three.

And also, table egg markets sharply lower last week.

In pork, production was up one point one percent last week versus the prior week, down six tenths from the same week last year.

Year to date output is up four tenths, and that's in due entirely to heavier hog weights.

Most of the markets were lower last week.

Bellies and hams led the way, falling five percent each last week alone, and the markets continue to trade well below year ago levels.

In beef, output last week up one point one percent from the prior week, down four point five percent from the same week last year.

Year to date, down five percent due entirely to cattle slaughter, which is tracking a whopping eight percent lower than last year.

In the markets, both the choice and select bo- box beef cutouts, think index of box beef markets, were higher last week with chucks and loins leading the way.

The cutouts are still down about five percent from this time last year.

Two exceptions that are tr-- of, of markets that are trading above a year ago are briskets and ribs.

In the trim markets, mostly a soft undertone in those markets, and that includes the imported markets.