The daily read

Monday, August 31, 2026

Today's read
Beef was bid across the board, 31 quotes higher against 11 lower, on 1.5x normal volume. Seven of every ten beef pounds that cleared today were trim, nearly double the usual share. Fresh 50CL Trimmings, Choice strip loin 1x1 and Pork boneless sirloin combo are trading below their three week ranges. Choice strip loin 1x1 turned lower after climbing earlier in the week. 72% trim combo has closed lower five days in a row. Monday's cattle kill 104,000 head, 6% over last Monday. Labor Day is 7 days out: brisket, ribs, and ground beef firm into the grilling-season close.
Highlights

Cuts in this read: Chemical Lean, Fresh 50% · Loin, Strip Loin, 1x1 · Knuckles · Plate, Outside Skirt · Boneless Sirloin, Combo · Chuck, Semi-bnls, Neck/off

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Meat Read publishes one of these every trading day, free, after the USDA afternoon close. Beef and pork wholesale, what moved and what it means for a buyer.