Alternative Marketing Arrangements retook center stage in the fed cattle market over the last several weeks as two bills designed to increase market transparency work through Congress, said Elliot Dennis, livestock Extension economist at the University of Nebraska, in a letter to extension agents through the Livestock Marketing Information Center called In The Cattle Markets. … Read More
Choice/Select Spread Widening Seasonally
After an unseasonal rise and fall over the summer, the difference between wholesale prices for USDA choice and select beef caught the seasonal trend and is widening again. If the trend continues as per the 2014-2018 average, the choice/select spread, as it is known in the industry, will continue to widen until the first week … Read More
Funds Buy Even More Cattle Futures
Large commodity investment funds, called managed money, cut their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday, Oct. 6. At the same time, commercial traders, those who own the cattle and use the futures market primarily for hedging, cut their collective net short position to its lowest point in two months. … Read More
WASDE Boosts Red Meat, Poultry Production Estimate
The USDA’s 2020 total red meat and poultry production forecast was raised from last month despite a lower outlook for pork. The data came from the USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report Friday. This year’s beef production forecast was raised from the September report on higher expected second-half cattle slaughter, the report … Read More
August Kansas Feedlot Marketings Rise
August sales of fed cattle to beef packers from Kansas feedlots rose again to nudge out year-earlier sales for this year’s monthly high. The data came from a monthly survey of select Kansas feedlots by the Kansas State University Extension Department. The data was then compiled and extrapolated by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in … Read More
August Beef, Pork Exports Above Last Year
August exports of US beef and pork muscle cuts were above last year’s strong volumes, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. Variety meat exports were lower than a year ago, partly because of a lack of available labor required to harvest and export some items, the … Read More
Dry Soils Threaten Winter Grazing
Most of western Oklahoma has received little or no moisture in the past two to three weeks advancing drought conditions once again and threatening winter grazing, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, in a letter to Extension Agents called Cow/Calf Corner. From the worst levels in early July, drought conditions in … Read More