Average cattle finishing losses in 2022 were estimated to be about $70 per head, and current breakeven and fed cattle price projections suggest the cattle finishing sector will experience net losses in the first half of 2023, wrote Purdue University Agricultural Economist Michael Langemeier, in a report called Farmdoc Daily.   FEEDING COST OF GAIN … Read More

Aggressive selection of production traits in cows can yield noticeable environmental, herd quality and health returns over time. Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University State Extension beef nutrition specialist, wrote in a letter to Extension Agents called Cow-Calf Corner recent research showed cows that are better able to maintain body condition and produce more milk energy … Read More

November exports of US pork were the largest of 2022 in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. November beef exports were less than the large year-ago totals, but 2022 export value through November already had set a full-year record of nearly $11 billion, … Read More

Large commodity index funds increased their collective net long live cattle futures position during the week ended Tuesday as cattle owners boosted their total net short position, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said Friday in its weekly Commitments of Traders report.   FUNDS BUY MORE CATTLE   Those large index funds, known as managed money, … Read More

1-6-22 – Ready or not, calving season is coming.  To help cow/calf producers plan ahead, the Beef Cattle Research Council of Alberta, Canada, Thursday listed four areas of planning to ensure a safe, successful calving season.   PREVENT DISEASE   –Avoid comingling new cattle with pregnant cows and quarantine animals coming back to the main … Read More

The US beef industry this year has a lot riding on the weather.  Two years of drought brought an incredible amount of herd culling, leaving producers with fewer cattle to go around if the drought should break. The National Weather Service last week said 74.05% of the US was in some degree of drought ranging … Read More

Following a two-month decline and a year of weak sentiment, the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer closed out the year on a more bullish note, rallying 24 points in December to a reading of 126, said Purdue Ag Economist James Mintert, in a joint release. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from … Read More