If cow/calf producers have calves to market this fall, the best strategy is to turn freshly weaned calves into yearlings and sell them immediately, said a prominent agricultural economist. Dan Childs, senior consultant for the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation said in a market analysis that marketing those yearlings through a value-added sale would be even … Read More
Lower Cow/Calf Returns Could Cut Heifer Retention
Consistently lower estimated and real cow/calf returns this year may lower heifer retention for breeding but could play only a minor role in total herd growth as of Jan. 1, as reported by the USDA. The Livestock Marketing Information Center has consistently ratcheted down estimated cow-calf returns this year. Fourth-quarter calf prices were estimated to … Read More
Rising Hog Inventories Bode Ill For Cattle
US hog inventories are rising, reaching record proportions as of Sep. 1, according to the USDA’s quarterly Hogs and Pigs report Friday. As a result, some analysts said after the report that fourth-quarter slaughter capacity will be strained to the limit. And when slaughter capacity for any food livestock is tested with record supplies, lower … Read More
Frozen Meat Stocks Could Cap Livestock Rallies
Total meat supplies in cold storage at the end of August were well above the 2010-2014 average, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s monthly Cold Storage report, which was released on Friday. This is liable to keep live animal price gains in check, at least for a while. Frozen beef supplies remained above last … Read More
Farm Economy Outlook Worsens
The outlook for the farm economy continued to worsen this year, despite some occasional rebounds in income and profit margins, said Nathan Kauffman, assistant vice president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, in an analysis. “As 2016 winds down, there will be increasing focus on the outlook for 2017 and likely more questions about … Read More
Decision Time For Cattle Producers
Fall is decision time for cattle producers, and evaluating inputs and determining the best use of available resources can be a challenging but important process, said Scott Clawson, Oklahoma northeast area economics specialist in a market commentary. Many operations have a set plan every year. They have developed a specialized skill set for managing their … Read More
Cattle Futures Dive Lower
Live cattle futures ended down the daily limit of $3.00 per cwt Tuesday, as technical support failed and fears of lower cash cattle prices took over. The limit-down close suggests further pressure early Wednesday. Furthermore, cash cattle prices are in a downtrend that shows no signs of a bottom. Market analysts Tuesday said traders feared … Read More