Packer buyers continue to find it hard to source adequate supplies of slaughter cattle, as evidenced by this week’s $6.00-per-cwt jump in prices paid in the Central and Southern Plains. Cattle traded at $162 per cwt on a live basis, up from a range of $155 to $157 last week as feedlot managers continue to … Read More
Slaughter Cow Prices Up On Tight Supplies, Strong Beef
Slaughter cow prices are up and challenging June’s record highs after a brief decline in the first week of July as fewer cows come to market amid a desire to rebuild the nation’s herds. The latest USDA prices for 85% to 90% lean Southern Plains slaughter cows was $117.97 per cwt on a live basis. … Read More
Beef Values Defy Seasonals
Boxed beef values this week are defying seasonal norms – moving higher when they should be declining, causing futures markets to rise and challenge contract highs. The USDA reported its choice cutout value Tuesday at $252.80 per cwt, a gain of $2.28 on the day and the second straight increase this week. It falls $0.01 … Read More
Beef Industry Needs Better PR Tactics
The US beef industry has its work cut out for it as various anti-meat groups and studies keep chipping away and taking PR ground. The Beef Checkoff is meant to increase beef demand among consumers, and studies have shown the investment has been worthwhile. But the industry needs a knockout blow similar to the one … Read More
Managed Money Boosts Cattle Interest
Managed money expressed more interest in live cattle futures during the week ended Tuesday, just as Aug futures were consolidating a nearby bottom. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report shows that, during the latest reporting week, managed money boosted its net long position to 112,982 contracts from 107,655 the previous week. … Read More
Weekly Beef Exports Down
7-18-14 – Weekly US beef export sales of 9,000 tonnes were down 50% in the week ended July 10 and 37% off from the prior four-week average, the USDA’s Foreign Ag Service reported Thursday. Beef export shipments of 11,400 tonnes during the week were down 27% from the previous week and 24% from the prior … Read More
Official Launch of Zia Commodities Web Site!
Welcome to our new website. We’re looking forward to providing lots of interesting news and tools as time goes along. Subscribe to our newsletter (on the right) and check back often! Thanks, Sean