Randy Blach, executive vice president of Cattle-Fax recently reported on carcass trends in the beef industry. Following is a summary.

• Days on feed now average slightly more than 150 days compared to 15 to 20 years ago when it was 125 to 130 days.

• Weight put on in the feedyard averaged 409 lbs in the 1980s compared to 575 lbs in 2006.

• Average weight of fed cattle increased from 1085 lbs to almost 1265 lbs between 1985 and 2006.

• Carcass weights have increased 6 lbs per year for the past 25 years.

• 30 to 40% of cattle today are yield grade fours.

• In spite of the significant increase in days on feed and carcass weights, quality grades are slumping.