The Purdue University—CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index climbed to 139 in November, 10 points higher than in October and the highest barometer reading since June of this year, said Purdue University Agricultural Economists Michael Langameier and James Mintert, in a release. The improvement in farmer sentiment was attributed to producers’ more optimistic outlook for … Read More

The fundamentals of the current stage of the cattle cycle have not changed: tight supplies, strong demand, and slow expansion efforts, said University of Arkansas Extension Beef and Forage Economist Hannah Baker, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets.   MARKET DATA   Previous LMIC articles discussed the importance of … Read More

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” is a time-tested truism in any operation, be it industry, farming or ranching. A breeding objective is the general goal of a breeding program – the notion of what constitutes the best animal, said Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, in a letter called … Read More

US economic activity was little changed since the previous report on Oct. 15, according to most of the 12 Federal Reserve districts, though two districts noted a modest decline and one reported modest growth. The Federal Reserve Bank’s Beige Book, a periodic summary of economic activity, went on to say overall consumer spending declined further, … Read More

During the week ended Tuesday, Oct. 14, large commodity funds, known as managed money, had increased their collective net long live cattle futures position as cattle owners, or commercial traders boosted their total net short position. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Commitments of Traders report as the organization catches up on … Read More

Industry fears about the effect of packer losses and low cattle numbers were realized last week when Tyson Foods announced its intention to close the Lexington, Neb., beef packing plant, and that the Amarillo, Texas, plant would decrease to one shift from two in coming months. This will reduce industry slaughter capacity by roughly 7,000 … Read More

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, nudged their collective net long live cattle position higher in the week ended Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in its Commitments of Traders report Friday. In that same week, cattle hedgers, or commercial traders, increased their total net short position. The CFTC is … Read More