Managed money increased its live cattle futures net long position in the week ended Tuesday, keeping its position nearly flat for the last five weeks, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments Of Traders report. In the latest reporting week, large speculative firms raised their net long positions to 110,945 contracts, up 3,755, … Read More
Forage Insurance Deadline Approaching
An important fall deadline is approaching for cow/calf and stocker cattle producers. Nov. 15 is the deadline to purchase or change coverage of Pasture, Rangeland, Forage insurance. Matthew A. Diersen, Agricultural Economist at South Dakota State University wrote that PRF insurance is available using either a Rainfall Index in many Plains states, eastern states or … Read More
Beef, Pork Export Values Climb Despite Lower Volume
Despite losses in volume, the value of August beef and pork exports rose for the second straight month, and these values remain on a pace to close out the year at record levels. USDA data compiled by the US Meat Export Federation, a non-profit organization financed by private and government funds, shows August beef and … Read More
Packers Likely Forced To Pay More For Cattle
Despite operating in the red, beef packers may be forced to pay up for slaughter-ready cattle again this week as the cash market appears to be weathering a period of higher fed cattle numbers with aplomb. Cash cattle traded last week at $159 to mostly $160 per cwt on a live basis, up from $156 … Read More
Weekly Cattle Slaughter Following Seasonal Trends, But Lower
Weekly cattle slaughter is following seasonal trends but doing so at a lower level than last year or the previous five-year average, highlighting the decline in fed cattle numbers as the herd tries to recover from a 63-year low. USDA data show the estimated total slaughter last week was 582,000 head, up 10,000, or 1.75%, … Read More
Cattle Producers Cover Short Positions
Cattle producers covered short positions while managed money liquidated long positions during the latest reporting week, yet total open interest went up. During the latest week, total live cattle open interest rose to 317,687 contracts from 312,383, a 1.70% increase. At the end of the latest reporting week, Tuesday, Sep. 30, the Commodity Futures Trading … Read More
Weekly Beef Export Sales Sag
Weekly beef export sales sagged in the latest reporting week with whole muscle cut sales for 2014 delivery at 12,000 tonnes, down 2% from the previous week, and down 7.7% from the prior four-week average of 13,000 tonnes, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. US export sales of whole muscle cuts for 2015 delivery … Read More