It’s important to understand the differences between Classical Swine Fever, which was reported in Japan last week, African Swine Fever, which is spreading across a wide swath of China.  But controlling these diseases is proving difficult. To get a handle on the differences, a Veterinary Research article published online on Nov. 28, 2017, by BioMed … Read More

US beef and pork exports in July were higher than a year ago, according to data from the USDA and compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center. The data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service and the Foreign Agriculture Service showed exported values were mixed with beef posting another near-record month while pork export value … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, collectively called managed money by many, trimmed their combined net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday, said the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday in its weekly Commitments of Traders report. Managed money’s new net long cattle position Tuesday was 58,139 contracts, down 881, or 1.49%, from 59,020 … Read More

The number of fed steers and heifers Kansas feedlots sold to packers in July dropped from this year’s peak so far in June, putting total numbers closer to last July 2017, according to data collected by the Kansas State University Extension Service and compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center. June’s feedlot closeout rate was … Read More

The USDA, along with four industry associations are working very closely together to help keep the US free of African Swine Fever and all other foreign animal diseases, said Pork Magazine, quoting a National Pork Board statement. Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes said in the article that ASF in the US could cost the … Read More

Purdue University’s Ag Economy Barometer rebounded in August to a reading of 129 after falling to 117 in July, but remained well below the readings of 141 in May and 143 in June, said a report on the Barometer Tuesday. The sentiment shift primarily was attributed to producers’ improved perceptions of current conditions, the report … Read More

Large commodity investment firms, called managed money, cut their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday after reaching their highest point in 5 ½ months just the week before. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in its weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday that as of Tuesday, managed money’s net … Read More