All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada totaled 104 million head on Jan. 1, 2016, according to a report Tuesday from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. That was up 3% from the 101 million head on Jan. 1, 2015. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 44.4 million head, were … Read More

While January US feedlot sales were lower than last year, Kansas feedlots were more aggressive sellers, even though they also were down from the previous five-year average, said USDA-National Agricultural Statistics and Kansas State University data. USDA-NASS data showed total feedlot marketings in January at 1.589 million head, down 85,000, or 5.08%, from 1.674 million … Read More

Commercial traders of live cattle futures established their largest net short position since mid-August during the week ended Tuesday, a position and trend not mirrored by other traders. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday, said the net short position of commercials, those who handle the cattle at some point, had … Read More

Growing demand for high eating-quality beef is causing many cow/calf producers to shift their breeding practices to produce more cattle that yield choice or prime grade carcasses, and states like Missouri are there to help. Packer premiums for prime or choice carcasses exceed the premiums for various programs like grass-fed, antibiotic-free and humane-handling.  Program premiums … Read More

Cattle dressed weights likely are beginning a seasonal slide that could take them below last year, although a test of the previous five-year average does not appear imminent. Part of Wednesday’s drama in the cattle futures market was talk of seasonal declines in dressed weights and the consequent lower beef production.  Steer and heifer dressed … Read More

Fewer Mexican cattle imports are expected this year as producers there begin rebuilding their herds and lower prices make sales to the US less enticing, said Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel in a commentary this week. Mexican cattle producers have begun to retain heifers for breeding, the US herd is growing, … Read More

Feedlot margins improved significantly during the week ended Feb. 20 as prices for fed cattle rose nearly $2 per cwt, but the red ink continues to flow, said a well-known market analyst.  Packer margins declined with the higher prices, but they remain positive. The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker from Sterling Marketing Inc., and published by … Read More