The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 27 points to a reading of 183 in October to set a record high, said Purdue University Agricultural Economist James Mintert, in a release about the barometer. Farmers were more optimistic about the future and current financial situations on their farms as the Current Conditions Index rose … Read More

The pandemic-induced economic crisis is set to leave deep scars on world economies, said International Monetary Fund Economists Oya Celasun, Lone Christiansen and Margaux Mad Donald in an IMF blog. Capital erosion from prolonged high unemployment and school closures, value destruction from bankruptcies, and constraints on future fiscal policy from elevated public debt top the … Read More

Large commodity index funds, called managed money, again sold live cattle futures aggressively during the week ended Tuesday, taking them to their lowest collective net long position in more than five months. That was according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.  The report also said cattle owners covered their … Read More

A large weekend winter storm stressed Plains states cattle, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, in a letter to Extension Agents called Cow/Calf Corner. Fluctuating temperatures and cold, wet conditions stress cattle, particularly weaning calves, stockers and feedlot cattle, Peel said.  The challenges for feedlot cattle followed excellent feeding conditions for … Read More

Despite increasing somewhat from last year, originations of new farm loans at commercial banks remained subdued in the third quarter, said the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in a news release. Prices for most agricultural commodities remained low leading into the third quarter, contributing to a weak economic environment and weighing on lending conditions … Read More

The ratio of steers to heifers populating US feedlots can give some perspective on how cow/calf producers see profit prospects down the road. And with the October release of the USDA’s Cattle on Feed report, comes an update of the steer to heifer ratio in feedlots.  These figures come quarterly and help estimate the number … Read More

As microbial resistance to antibiotics grows into an ever-expanding problem for doctors and veterinarians, Lux Research has identified some solutions that fall into three main categories, the company said in a research paper. There is no silver bullet that will replace conventional antibiotics, Lux said, and alternatives will act primarily as preventative strategies that will … Read More