The percent of monthly beef production graded choice or select has declined so far this year, and the reason can be put on the back of the USDA. The US method of producing beef for the table produces more carcasses that are graded choice by USDA meat inspectors or cameras than it does select.  For … Read More

CNBC reported Monday that the Trump Administration is planning tariffs on a remaining $257 billion in Chinese goods if talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi fail. Some analysts have blamed the possibility of failure in those talks for triggering the latest profit-taking move in the US stock market. At the same time, an … Read More

African Swine Fever is altering the outlook for hog production and trade around the world, said Rabobank Senior Analyst for Animal Protein Christine McCracken in an analysis last week. In short, prospects for improved export demand for ASF-free countries has grown following outbreaks in China and more recently in Belgium, which is close to France … Read More

Large commodity investment firms, or managed money, continued to wean themselves from their collective net long live cattle position in the week ended Tuesday, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said Friday. In its weekly Commitments of Traders report, the CFTC said managed money’s new net long live cattle futures position as of Tuesday was 72,597 … Read More

Rain earlier this month hampered Oklahoma’s fall harvest activity and wheat pasture grazing, but sunshine late last week raising hopes that fields will dry so both can get back on track, said Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Specialist Derrell Peel in a letter to Extension agents. At least some rain is in the forecast in … Read More

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working on a new report on the threat of antibiotic-resistant threats in the US, said CDC Public Affairs Specialist Martha Sharan, in an email. In the meantime, the CDC is working from its latest listing compiled in 2013, and the data it contains could be troubling for … Read More

The weekly average choice/select wholesale price spread is holding above a year ago and has recrossed the 2012-2016 average on its way to a seasonal high, according to USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service data. The difference between wholesale prices for the USDA’s choice and select grade carcass cutout value is defined as the choice/select price spread.  It … Read More