In June, the value of US beef exports increased from a year earlier despite lower volumes, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. June pork exports were less than last year, largely because of a sharp decline in pork variety meat exports attributable to pseudorabies-related restrictions that … Read More

As summer heat and continued drought continue in major US pasture lands, it pays to look at the seasonal nutritional characteristics of pastures. Perennial warm-season grasses can still look green in midsummer even as their nutritional value declines, said Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle nutrition Specialist, in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner. … Read More

The US farm bill crop safety net targets two risks, said Carl Zulauf, Ohio State University agricultural economist, in a University of Illinois publication, farmdocdaily. Crop insurance targets production-period low yield and revenue risk, while commodity programs target multiple-year low price and revenue risk, Zulauf said.  A farm takes full advantage of this safety net … Read More

It would seem that US cow/calf producers would like to keep more cows and maybe a heifer or two to start rebuilding the total herd, but it’s hard to tell just yet. Cow slaughter numbers are falling, but it may not be a sign of rebuilding just yet, a market analyst said.  Producers may just … Read More

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, continued to sell down their collective net long live cattle position in the week ended Tuesday, just as cash cattle traders covered more of their total net short position. Those were the conclusions of market analysts from the weekly Commitments of Traders report from the Commodity Futures … Read More

Now that the US/Mexican border is slated to reopen gradually, it’s time to look at beef import dynamics, and Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist had some important perspectives on the issue in Cow-Calf Corner. Total beef imports for the first five months of 2026 were up 9.9% year over year, Peel … Read More

Commercial banks reported a decline in farm lending activity during the second quarter of 2026, a survey of banks by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. According to the Survey of Terms of Lending to Farmers, new loan originations declined for nearly all non-real estate loan purposes, Federal Reserve Economist Francisco Scott said in … Read More