While the wholesale beef market seems lackluster at present, unable to muster a seasonal rally, by historical standards it’s really in pretty good shape. The problem for commodity markets is that packers have not, or have not been able to, ramp up slaughter rates and raise the price of slaughter-ready cattle.  As a result, the … Read More

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, reduced their collective net long live cattle position in the week ended Tuesday as hedgers cut their own net short position. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS CUT LONG CATTLE POSITION   As of Tuesday, managed … Read More

While incentives to retain calves to add weight appear to be present this year in some locations, producers must calculate their value and cost of gain to determine if it is a correct decision, said University of Nebraska Livestock Extension Economist Elliott Dennis, in a letter to Extension agents. The letter went out from the … Read More

Not much will change regarding Oklahoma forage supplies in the next 6-7 months, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, in a letter to Extension Agents called Cow-Calf Corner. The one exception is the potential for wheat pasture and other cool-season forages in the southern plains, which will need additional moisture through … Read More

The October Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a drop in producer sentiment, down three points to a reading of 121, said a release by Purdue Agricultural Economist James Mintert. The modest drop was part of a three-month slide primarily the result of producers’ weakened perceptions for current and future conditions.  The Index of … Read More

Kansas feedlot sales of slaughter-ready cattle in September declined seasonally, with the average less than last September and above the 2015-2019 average, according to data collected by the Kansas State University Extension service and compiled and published by the Livestock Marketing Information center in Denver. The K-State Extension service surveys select feedlots around the state, … Read More

After three weeks of gains, managed money, a proxy for large commodity index funds, had a smaller collective net long position in live cattle futures Tuesday, as hedgers trimmed their total net short position. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday for business as of Tuesday.   … Read More