Beef prices more moderate this year but still above average

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Cattle prices are expected to moderate this year but still remain higher than average.

The Twin Falls Times-News reports (http://bit.ly/1OZnbD8) that increases in the second quarter of this year are expected to be smaller than the record set in late 2014.

But the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver says the increases are will likely remain historically large.

Southern Plains cow reached a record high of $131 per hundredweight last summer. Prices this year are ranging from $103 to $115 per hundredweight.

Experts say softer beef exports, surging beef imports and increased pork and poultry production have affected prices.

U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates show beef production down about 3.5 percent this year but pork production up more than 6 percent.

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Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com

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