Federally inspected hog slaughter continues to expand past last year’s highs and already has set a new record annual high. The new record was estimated at 2.532 million just two weeks ago.  Preliminary USDA estimated slaughter numbers indicate a smaller number this week, even after falling away last week. The official slaughter peak of two … Read More

The USDA Wednesday confirmed what cattle producers around the country knew all along — October cattle prices were lower relative to September and last year. In its monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook, the USDA’s Economic Research Service said, “Weekly average fed cattle prices declined during the month, averaging about $100 per cwt compared to … Read More

As margins get squeezed, cow/calf producers may have stopped growing their herds.  Some may have begun to shrink them again. It’s too soon for cow/calf producers to begin shrinking their herds, but feeder cattle prices have dropped dramatically from their peaks just a few years ago.  And there are parts of the country where exceptional … Read More

Slaughter steer dressed weights are overdue for a decline. Steer dressed weights continue to climb with no end in sight except last year’s annual high of 930 pounds the second week of October.  The 2010-2014 average tops out at 874.8 pounds the third week of October. So steer dressed weights can be said to be … Read More

September was another solid month for US red meat exports, with beef, pork and lamb totals well above a year ago, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. “Red meat exports continued to build positive momentum in September, and it couldn’t come at a better time,” said Philip … Read More

The USDA’ World Agricultural Supply and Demand report Wednesday surprised many traders by pushing US corn and soybean yields to record highs.  It was the first back-to-back records or soybeans yields since the 1930’s. The USDA estimated 2016/2017 US corn output at 15.226 billion bushels, up 168 million from last month on a 1.9-bushel-per-acre increase … Read More

Cattle prices have slid for the last year and a half, creating a tightening feeder cattle markets has seen little discussion, said Brian Williams, assistant extension professor of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Mississippi State University. Writing for the Livestock Marketing Information Center’s In the Cattle Markets, Williams said, “In January of 2015, when … Read More