The value of November US pork exports was the highest ever November total while beef export value advanced toward a record full-year of returns, according to data from the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. PORK November pork exports totaled 223,962 tonnes, down slightly from a year ago, the USMEF … Read More
US Food “Among Most Vulnerable, Least Protected”
The US food supply “is among the most vulnerable and least protected of all potential targets for terrorism,” according to a study prepared for the National Institute of Justice by researchers and law enforcement officials around the country. A copy of the research paper was supplied by Nevil Speer, associate professor of agricultural economics at … Read More
Questions For The Cattle Industry
Three questions for the US cattle industry entering 2018, according to Josh Maples, assistant professor of agricultural economics at Mississippi State University. Maples posed the questions to members of the Livestock Marketing Information Center in the weekly “In The Cattle Markets.” HERD EXPANSION, EXPORTS AND MEAT PRODUCTION The first question posed was “What … Read More
Avian Influenza Cost US Dearly
Outbreaks of avian influenza may not affect cattle producers directly, but the effect on affected poultry and egg producers and the economy cannot be denied. The effects can, however, be hard to measure since mitigation and containment measures are so swift and effective. It may take a large outbreak so see past the local producer’s … Read More
2018 US Meat, Poultry Production To Rise
Forecast quarterly declines in red meat and poultry production could provide mild early year support to wholesale prices but only if traders are watching only quarter-to-quarter changes. Year-over-year production of US red meat and poultry is expected to rise in 2018 along with per capita consumption rates. Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and … Read More
Funds Cut Long Cattle Position
During the week ended Tuesday, managed money, a proxy for large commodity investment funds, cut its net long live cattle futures position for the seventh straight week to its lowest point in 3 ½ months. At the same time, commercial traders, those who theoretically could make or take delivery of a futures contract, cut their … Read More
Cow, Heifer Slaughter Shows Slower Herd Growth
Federally inspected beef cow and heifer slaughter rates in November continue to show that the US beef cattle herd growth has slowed considerably from last year. Data show that the herd likely continued to grow in 2017, but monthly slaughter data all year shows that more females are being slaughtered than in the same months … Read More