Cattle slaughter last week reached an estimated 502,000 head, according to the USDA, down 23,000 head or 4.38%, from 525,000 the previous week and the lowest this year.  But just looking at the raw slaughter data does not tell the whole story. A graph from the Livestock Marketing Information Center shows how weekly slaughter compares … Read More

4-13-15 – Managed money’s net long position in live cattle futures rose in the latest week through a combination of fresh buying new long positions and light covering of short positions, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said. In its weekly Commitments of Traders report for the week ended Tuesday, the CFTC said managed money, or … Read More

Managed money’s net long position in live cattle futures rose in the latest week through a combination of fresh buying new long positions and light covering of short positions, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said. In its weekly Commitments of Traders report for the week ended Tuesday, the CFTC said managed money, or large speculators, … Read More

The USDA is predicting even more total red meat and poultry production this year than it did last month as higher beef and pork output more than offsets lower turkey production. The USDA made its outlook known Thursday in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report where it left its prediction on chicken … Read More

US beef and pork exports in February bounced a little from January, and improving West Coast shipping conditions hint at a further improvements in March. The USDA reported total beef and veal exports in February of 177.980 million pounds, up 15.3 million, or 9.41%, from 162.678 million in January when West Coast ports were all … Read More

As cattle producers and feeders seek the best possible return on their investment, it would seem their best bet would be to aim their business toward branded product with the best genetics for marbling. There’s little surprise in that, but USDA data back up a plan to target the branded beef market, which by definition … Read More

4-6-15 – Managed money continued to buy cattle futures in the week ended Tuesday while commercial traders continued to sell, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In its latest Commitments of Traders report, the CFTC said the net long live cattle position of managed money, or large speculators, grew 11,904 contracts, or 22.2%, to … Read More