The USDA expects beef, pork and poultry disappearance to increase next year, driven largely by production increases, but also by changes in trade. The changes in expectations for beef, pork and poultry were outlined in the USDA’s monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook from the Economic Research Service. BEEF Beef’s per capita disappearance … Read More
Beef, Pork Demand Declining?
Beef and pork demand appear to be declining, even though per-capita consumption of both is rising and expected to climb even more next year. The Livestock Marketing Information Center uses data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the USDA’s Economic Research Service to arrive at its own retail fresh beef and pork demand indices. … Read More
Funds Cut Long Live Cattle Futures Position
Commodity investment funds, called managed money, reduced their net long live cattle futures position for the fourth straight week in the week ended Tuesday as commercial traders held their net short position almost flat. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission made the announcement in its weekly Commitments of Traders report on Friday. The report said managed … Read More
Aging Infrastructure Threatens Exports
The US’ aging locks and dams are long past their designed lifespan and need to be rebuilt. It may seem to be a long way from US cattle markets, but the country’s infrastructure is the envy of many nations and the main reason for the US’ success in world markets. The system of roads, railroads … Read More
USDA Raises Red Meat, Poultry Production Forecasts
The USDA Wednesday raised its 2017 forecast for red meat and poultry production from last month as higher estimates of beef and broiler production more than offset expected declines in pork and turkey production. The USDA made the predictions in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report and went on to say that … Read More
Cash Cattle Could See Support This Week
With the live cattle futures market reverting to building in a “carry,” cash cattle markets this week could be a bit higher. A futures market with a carry is one in which successive delivery months are trading for increasingly higher prices, thus incentivizing owners to carry their commodity for future sale. This is the normal … Read More
Northern Plains Pasture, Range Conditions Dropping
In response to increasingly intense regional drought, pasture and range conditions in the Northern Plains dropped again, and the encroaching drought has many western Corn Belt crop watchers concerned. The readings come from the weekly crop Report issued by USDA’s National Agriculture Statistical Service Monday States with particularly poor pasture and range readings are Montana … Read More