Over the last 14 years, USDA-reported average retail beef prices have risen more rapidly than retail prices for either pork or chicken, according to monthly data kept and compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver. Retail prices for pork also have risen over the period, but the bulk of the changes came in … Read More
Beef By-Product Markets Complex
By-products are a significant value component of the cattle and beef industry, but capturing the value of by-products is challenging, especially for small packers, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner. BY-PRODUCT PRODUCTION “ENORMOUS” The beef industry produces an enormous set of edible and … Read More
Managed Money Buys More Cattle Futures
Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, increased their collective net long live cattle futures position during the week ended Tuesday as hedgers extended their total net short positions. The data came from Friday’s weekly Commitments of Traders report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. MANAGED MONEY EXTENDS NET LONG CATTLE POSITION … Read More
January Beef Exports Down As China Steps Back
Monthly US beef exports in January were 233 million pounds, 4% less than last year and 8% less than the 2019–23 average, the USDA said Thursday in its monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook. US pork exports began 2024 strong with January shipments about 588 million pounds, almost 6% more than a year ago, the … Read More
Weekly Steer, Heifer Carcass Weights Rising
USDA data show weekly steer and heifer dressed weights to be rising, and last week both were higher than either last year or the 2018-3022 average. It also makes sense to believe the trend of heavier weights will continue for the time being. But this doesn’t mean weights won’t decline into the seasonal low around … Read More
FAS: Economic Headwinds For China’s Red Meat Sector
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Beijing, China, Tuesday forecast that economic headwinds would continue to affect domestic consumption of pork and beef in 2024. In a semi-annual report, the China FAS office said 2024 swine and pork production would be down about 3% as persistently low live hog and pork prices weigh on producers. … Read More
January US Pork Exports Strong; Beef Value Climbs
US pork exports raced to a great start in 2024, according to January data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. A USMEF release said that while January beef exports were slightly less than last year’s volume, export value trended significantly higher. MEXICO LEADS PORK PERFORMANCE Although January … Read More