Funds Cut Net Long Live Cattle Positions

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, cut their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday, June 29, as hedgers trimmed their shared net short position. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS CUT LONG CATTLE POSITION   Managed … Read More

Kansas May Feedlot Closeouts Up, Lag 2020, Average

After a drop in April that mimicked the 2020 April disaster, Kansas May feedlot closeouts recovered somewhat but remained well below last year and the 2015-2019 average, according to a monthly survey by the Kansas State University Extension Service. The Extension Service surveys select, representative feedlots around the state for closeout data, and the Livestock … Read More

Corn Jumps Limit After Acreage Report

Chicago corn futures Wednesday closed sharply higher, with Sep, Dec, Mar and May delivery months up the daily $0.40 per bushel limit after the USDA issued a new planting intentions report showing less of an increase in acreage than many had expected. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Wednesday estimated 2021 corn planted acres at … Read More

Cow/Calf Producers Urged To Add Value To Calves

Cow/calf production represents a long-term investment in land and cattle, necessitating long-term management practices that add value to the calves being sold, said Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef and Cattle Breeding Specialist, in a letter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner. Accordingly, there is considerable economic value in correctly managing the genetics, calving … Read More

US Beef, Cattle Could Use More Beef Exports

It’s clear that US beef and cattle producers could use more product exports since year-to-date beef production is up more than exports. To be clear, beef exports are up, but they lag the increase in beef production, and the excess may be part of why cattle prices aren’t being supported better.   BEEF PRODUCTION UP … Read More

Funds Again Boost Net Long Cattle Position

Large commodity investment funds, or managed money, again increased their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday as hedgers boosted their net short position. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS INCREASE LONG CATTLE POSITIONS   As of Tuesday, managed … Read More

Hog Inventories Lower: Near Expectations

The US inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1 was 75.7 million head, about in line with trade expectations. A market analyst said after the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report Thursday that while the report may not cause near-term convulsions in the market, the presence of fewer hogs in the country should be … Read More