Current market pricing suggests stocker producers could benefit by choosing lighter-weight calves and allowing the larger ones to go to the feedlot, said Derrell Peel, agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University in a market analysis. “Lightweight feeder cattle appear to be underpriced relative to feedlot value at the current cost of gain,” Peel said. Stocker … Read More

Managed money, or commodity investment funds, cut their net long live cattle futures position for the fifth straight week as commercial traders trimmed their net short positions for the fourth week. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, in its weekly Commitments Of Traders report Friday said that for the week ended Tuesday, managed money’s net long … Read More

Live cattle futures prices currently hold a bullish short-term tone, but there are technical and fundamental factors that may be worrisome to traders with bullish ideas of market direction. The most-active Dec live cattle futures contract this week moved higher overall and remains above some key chart support lines going into Friday’s trade.  However, there … Read More

It seems the market is turning its back on cattle producers again, issuing a “gotcha” instead of an “attaboy.” Cattle feeders often complain that packers pull the rug out from under them by withdrawing or reducing premiums for certain carcass characteristics just about the time they begin supplying the latest demand signal. If the market … Read More

The outlook for feeder cattle prices remains bearish long term, so much so that “the cyclical nature of beef cattle prices could force the calf and feeder cattle market even lower the next couple of years,” said University of Tennessee Agricultural Economist Andrew Griffith in a weekly market letter. “Many older producers are probably saying … Read More

The USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board Monday cut its estimate of total 2016 US meat and poultry production from its estimate last month. Reductions in beef, pork and chicken production were seen in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report from the agency.  The turkey production estimate was the only one that was … Read More

Managed money, also known as commodity funds, cut their net long live cattle position for the fourth straight week during the week ended Tuesday as the most-active Oct contract set three new contract lows. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission made the disclosure Friday in its weekly Commitments Of Traders report.  The Commission went on to … Read More