Fall is decision time for cattle producers, and evaluating inputs and determining the best use of available resources can be a challenging but important process, said Scott Clawson, Oklahoma northeast area economics specialist in a market commentary. Many operations have a set plan every year.  They have developed a specialized skill set for managing their … Read More

Live cattle futures ended down the daily limit of $3.00 per cwt Tuesday, as technical support failed and fears of lower cash cattle prices took over.  The limit-down close suggests further pressure early Wednesday. Furthermore, cash cattle prices are in a downtrend that shows no signs of a bottom. Market analysts Tuesday said traders feared … Read More

Among the results of the monthly count of various meats in US commercial freezers on Aug. 31, one stands out as being particularly large.  Stocks of pork bellies were down 37% from July but were up 132% from last year, but this is only part of the story from this report. Restaurants likely will continue … Read More

Managed money boosted its live cattle net long position during the week ended Tuesday, reversing a four-week slide, while commercial traders increased its net short position for the first time in four weeks. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday released its weekly Commitments Of Traders report showing the latest stance of the two largest trading … Read More

9-23-16 – Traders who jumped into the fed cattle market a month ago based on expectations of a bottom now are feeling the pain of that decision, according to Nevil Speer, vice president of US operations for AgriClear Inc. Last month, the market was poised for a breakout to new price levels or to test … Read More

Weekly US beef exports jumped sharply in the week ended Sep. 10 to 17,400 tonnes, even though the US Dollar Index remained strong.  In fact, the US may be on track to record an annual increase in beef exports. The latest weekly beef export number was up 9,300 tonnes, or 114.8%, from 8,100 in the … Read More

The annual low for cash fed cattle prices may be in.  If it isn’t, the low is likely to come in mid-December. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service 5-market average price for fed steers two weeks ago was $105.02 per cwt on a live basis, down $4.66, or 4.25%, from $109.68 the previous week. The 2010-2014 … Read More