Fed cattle prices last week traded as much as $9 per cwt higher to their highest levels since August 2015, prompting University of Tennessee Extension Economist Andrew Griffith to ask, “how can the price escalation be maintained?” “There is always the possibility for fed cattle prices to hold this week’s prices or push further, but … Read More

Investment funds cut their net long position in live cattle futures during the week ended Tuesday as commercial traders continued to advance their collective net short position. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, in its weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday said that during the week ended Tuesday that managed money, a proxy for those large … Read More

Pricing in this year’s feed needs just got a little easier as corn and wheat futures settled sharply lower Thursday. Corn and wheat futures prices fell sharply as participants in the annual Kansas Wheat Tour reported the crop’s yield potential at 46.1 bushels an acre, above the five-year average of 41.6 bushels but below the … Read More

Plains states cattle feedlots are said to be very current with their sales to packer buyers, and data show they continue to work toward keeping inventories current. Data also show, feedlots got current with expanded sales in December, January and February. Using Kansas feedlots as a proxy for the entire Plains states industry, March sales … Read More

The US red meat supply likely rose in March with increased cattle and hog slaughter rates, something that may moderate rising product prices for consumers and fed cattle and hog prices for producers. Supplies and beef production do not yet appear to be burdensome, but rising pork supplies at a time of seasonal production declines … Read More

Some cattle market analysts are saying feeder cattle prices may have hit their zenith for now and likely will retreat, and they may be right. The nearby May futures contract Monday made it to a contract high of $150.95 per cwt before sinking and closing lower.  And this was after three very strong days of … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, called managed money, again expanded their net long live cattle futures positions to the highest point in more than a year during the week ended Tuesday as commercial traders lengthened their net short position to its largest in more than a year. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday said in its … Read More