Managed money continues to divest itself of live cattle contracts, dropping its net long position to its lowest point since the second week of January. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission reported that for the week ended Aug. 26, managed money reduced its net long position to 93,413 contracts, its third straight week of declines and … Read More
Some Feeder Cattle Project Profit Potential
As the price of feeder cattle climbs, it’s hard to imagine how the calves will break even for those planning to put them on feed, but there are times when they do “pencil out.” Feeder steers and heifers at the Oklahoma City Stockyards Monday were steady to $1.00 per cwt lower with medium and large … Read More
Cow/Calf Producers Face Dilemma
As the feeder cattle market competes for steers and heifers to fill feedlots and satisfy beef demand, cow/calf producers considering herd expansion are finding themselves on the horns of a dilemma. Ranchers have three herd-sizing choices: expand, reduce or hold steady. If they want to expand, they have two more choices: retain heifers or sell … Read More
Cattle Slaughter Traces Average Trend At Lower Rate
Federally inspected cattle slaughter is moving in a sideways pattern, following the five-year average in form but at a much lower level and reflecting the diminished number of fed cattle available to the market. The broad seasonal trends in US cattle slaughter are very entrenched, showing sharp dips during annual holiday weeks and peaks and … Read More
Packers Suppres Buying Enthusiasm
Fed cattle last week traded in a range $152 to mostly $153 per cwt on a live basis and $241 to $243, mostly $242, on a dressed basis. Both were down about $2 from the previous week as feeders pushed heavy cattle into the market and packer buyers toned down their buying enthusiasm. Cash prices … Read More
Managed Money Net Long Positions Lowest Since January
Managed money continued to liquidate live cattle futures in the week ended Tuesday and now has a net long position of 99,581 contracts, the lowest since the week ended Jan. 7 when it was 99,425. In its weekly report, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission also reported that producers continued to cover short positions during the … Read More
Dollar May Be Cutting Beef Exports
The US Dollar Index hasn’t been this high since August last year and may be behind the current slump in beef export sales. Net beef export sales of 7,300 tonnes for delivery yet this year were down 23% during the week ended Aug. 14 and down 41% from the prior four-week average as the US … Read More