Kansas feedlot sales to packers declined in April to a possible seasonal low, according to data from a Kansas State University monthly survey. The data is collected by the KSU Extension Service from select feedlots around the state of varying size and location.  They then are compiled to form a theoretical average feedlot’s activity and … Read More

Producer sentiment fell to its weakest reading since July 2022, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined 19 points to a reading of 104 in May, said Purdue University Agricultural Economist James Mintert, in a release of the survey results. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 US agricultural producers’ … Read More

Large commodity index firms, known as managed money, further advanced their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended last Tuesday, May 30, while hedgers nudged their total net short position a little higher. That from the Commitments of Traders report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.  The report usually is released … Read More

Costs for hauling livestock are likely to change in the future as various premiums and discounts are offered to shippers, said Elliott Dennis, Extension livestock economist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets.   FUEL COSTS CHANGING   Nationally, regular gasoline prices had begun … Read More

For the second time in a decade, drought has pushed US cattle numbers lower than planned and lower than needed to meet the demands of the market, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock marketing specialist, in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner.   CATTLE PRICES TRENDING HIGHER   Cattle prices are trending higher, much as … Read More

Economic activity was little changed overall in April and early May, said the Federal Reserve Bank’s Beige Book Wednesday. Four Districts reported small increases in activity, six had no change, and two saw slight to moderate declines, the report said.  Expectations for future growth deteriorated a little, though contacts still largely expected a further expansion … Read More

Increasingly tight cattle supplies suggest margins at all levels above the cow-calf sector will be squeezed in coming months, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Livestock Marketing Specialist, in a letter to Extension agents called Cow-Calf Corner.   CATTLE INDUSTRY STRUCTURE   The cattle and beef industry consists of primary production at the cow/calf level … Read More