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

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, increased their collective net long live cattle futures position during the week ended last Tuesday, Dec. 27, while cattle owners, or commercial traders, boosted their total net short position. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS BOOST … Read More

12-30-22 – Ahh, 2022!  It was full of challenges for those in the cattle business, said Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, in a letter to Extension agents called Cow-Calf Corner. Drought, high input costs, excessive heat and more drought. As much as he would like to dismiss and forget the … Read More