As the value of the US dollar against other currencies rises, the effects of the move affect international trade of all commodities.  Short beef supplies as the US rebuilds its cattle herds could add impetus to the desire to import more cattle or beef. Last year and this year so far, feeder cattle imports from … Read More

Managed money and commercial traders cut their respective long or short cattle futures positions to the lowest point in more than a year during the week ended last Tuesday as the price outlook dimmed. Managed money, or large speculators, cut their net long positions 2,708 contracts, or 15.1%, to 15,230 from 17,938 the previous week, … Read More

As cash fed cattle prices decline, cattle feeding losses are plummeting, a major reason feeder cattle prices are working lower. Cash fed cattle prices have declined for the last four weeks, expanding losses to cattle feeders.  The Sterling Profit Tracker reported that cattle unhedged feeding losses tumbled another $2 per cwt last week to $221.04 … Read More

With the number of cattle being slaughtered down, the profit challenges for beef packers increase, but it’s not impossible to get earnings reports into the black, at least sometimes. Packing plants are the most profitable when running at full capacity, and many are designed to operate on thin margins even then.  Beef prices are up, … Read More

Weekly boxed beef cutout values for choice 600- to 900-pound carcasses appear to have peaked seasonally and will likely decline into the first week of October. Bookings for holiday-related cuts may advance prices from early October into mid-December, but there is a limit to how far demand for rib roasts and steaks can take the … Read More

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly crop report contains a chart that should never be overlooked, yet it is. The weekly pasture and range condition chart can show the condition of soils across the country at a glance since grasses tend to show the effects of dry or super-wet weather sooner than many other … Read More

Managed money liquidated long live cattle positions during the week ended Tuesday, keeping their overall position relatively flat over the last month, as the outlook for the cattle market grew more hazy. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in its weekly Commitments of Traders report that managed money, or large fund traders, had reduced their … Read More