Total US red meat and poultry consumption is expected to rise this year as supplies of chicken and pork expand.  Beef production is expected to decline as producers rebuild their herds following years of decline. The USDA expects 2015 beef production to be down 447.5 million pounds, or 1.82%, to 24.074 billion pounds from 24,521.5 … Read More

Record-high wholesale beef prices are spawning fewer traders who believe in another year of such gains as mainstream media point out to consumers that they really are seeing record-high meat prices while their paychecks remain flat. An NBC News story this morning is a case in point.  In the article, “Meat Prices Expected To Keep … Read More

Managed money liquidated more long live cattle positions during the week ended Tuesday, Dec. 23, and reached its lowest net long position in more than a year.  At the same time, producers covered short positions and reached their lowest net long position in more than a year. The Commodity Futures Trading commission Tuesday released its … Read More

A December survey of consumer attitudes by Oklahoma State University shows shoppers favoring beef steak over chicken breast and hamburger, although acceptance of retail prices is up for all products when compared with a year ago. The monthly online survey of at least 1,000 individuals is weighted to match US demographics in terms of age, … Read More

Commercial meat production in November was down 8.74% to 3.76 billion pounds from November 2013’s total of 4.12 billion, according to USDA figures. Commercial beef production accounted for 1.850.5 billion pounds, down 207.1 million, or 10.1%, from a year earlier.  Pork production during the month was 1.891 billion pounds, down 149.2 million pounds, or 7.31%, … Read More

After the bull run of 2014, the cattle market is feeling “tired,” according to Rabobank’s quarterly report on the beef market. “Following the exceptional run-up in both cattle and beef prices for the year, traders are squaring positions before the holiday season, and the market is beginning to feel tired,” the report said.  “Based on … Read More

Live cattle and feeder cattle futures could see longer-term pressure from Tuesday’s USDA quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, which was considered somewhat bearish because it showed rising supplies to compete with high-priced beef. The lean hogs futures market hardly moved after the report was released since all figures but one were within 1% of the … Read More