November exports of US red meat posted year-over-year gains across all categories, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. US pork exports remained on a record pace, while beef and lamb shipments increased substantially from November 2023, the USMEF said in a release.   PORK EXPORTS ON … Read More

The USDA’s new estimate of 2024 red meat and poultry production was lowered from last month because of lower fourth-quarter beef, pork, broiler and turkey production, according to Friday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand report. Changes in the estimates reflect November production data and preliminary estimates of slaughter numbers and weights for December.   … Read More

With US beef cow numbers near historical lows, and the new year just begun, many cow/calf producers must be wondering if now might be a good time to retain heifers.  Market analysts likely are wondering the same thing and what retention or non-retention will mean to the markets. Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist … Read More

Southern Plains feeder and fed cattle prices were expected to continue rising through the next two years as supplies become increasingly scarce, according to forecasts by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver. In its latest estimates made last week, a graph of annual average prices for 500- to 600-pound steer calves, 700- to 800-pound … Read More

Farmer sentiment drifted lower in December as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped nine points to a reading of 136, said Michael Langemeier, Purdue agricultural economist, in a release. The decline was driven by producers’ weaker perspective on current conditions in US agriculture and their farms, with the Index of Current Conditions falling … Read More

It’s possible that weekly negotiated cash fed cattle prices could top $200 per cwt this week or sometime in the next few weeks. The USDA reported Friday that last week’s negotiated price for live steers was $198.93 per cwt, up from $194.81 a week earlier and up from $174.01 a year earlier.  Live heifer prices … Read More

National hay (alfalfa and other) prices have been on a downward trend since the start of the 2023/2024 crop year (May to April) and now are the lowest in four years, said the Livestock Marketing Information Center in its newsletter to Extension staff called Livestock Monitor. Over that period, the USDA’s reported national alfalfa hay … Read More