Cattle carcass weights have a strong seasonal tendency to decline from March to late April, and futures traders Wednesday said this was behind the gains in futures prices. Touting the seasonal decline in carcass weights implies a belief in a coming tighter beef supply and rising prices for beef and fed cattle. But the waters … Read More
US Hay Exports Growing
US alfalfa hay exports last year nearly set a record high, falling short of the 2013 high by only 34,562 tonnes, and with more abundant rainfall the last two years, it would seem that a new record could be set this year. Given the expense of trucking hay from one place to another in the … Read More
Canadian Feedlots Populations Above Year Ago
The number of cattle populating Canada’s feed yards declined in January, remaining above year-earlier figures and below the 2010-2014 average. Data from CanFax for feedlots in Alberta and Saskatchewan and compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center show the number of cattle on feed Feb. 1 at 919,080 head. This is down 18,611, or 1.98%, … Read More
US December Beef Exports Dip; Pork Up
US December beef and variety meat exports declined counter-seasonally while pork exports were up, according to the USDA Economic Research Service and Foreign Agriculture Service statistics. Japan remained the leading value market for US beef in 2015, yet exports declined about 15% year-over-year in volume (204,927 tonnes) and 19% in value ($1.28 billion, the lowest … Read More
Feeder Cattle Prices Stabilizing – For Now
Feeder cattle prices at auction are stabilizing in all major sectors of the country and in all weight ranges as the markets emulate either last year’s moves or the 2010-14 average. A compilation and analysis of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service data by the Livestock Marketing Information Center shows year-to-date price movements in their own narrow … Read More
USDA Boosts Red Meat, Poultry Production Estimates
The USDA Tuesday raised its estimate of total 2016 US red meat and poultry production from its January estimate as higher pork and chicken production more than offset lower estimates of beef and turkey output. The lowered beef production estimate could be considered somewhat bullish to beef and cattle markets, but gains likely will be … Read More
Cattle Futures Drop Could Be Tied To Misinformation
Monday’s sudden drop in live cattle futures may have been at least partially linked to misinformation, and a recovery of sorts may be in the offing Tuesday, although it may turn out to be short-lived. A preliminary report of the USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service’s five-market average cash price last week was below the actual USDA-AMS number, … Read More