2026 Red Meat, Poultry Production Seen Lower

Total US red meat and poultry production for 2026 Monday was forecast in the USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report to be lower than in 2025. Total red meat and poultry production forecasts for 2025 were reduced from last month, with beef, broiler, pork and turkey production forecast lower.   2026 BEEF … Read More

Funds Grow Net Long Live Cattle Position

In the latest reporting week ended Tuesday, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said large commodity index funds, known as managed money, expanded their collective net long live cattle futures position. The CFTC’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday also showed that commercial traders, those who deal mostly in the cash market and use futures for … Read More

Beef Trimmings Prices Fading, Remain Up From 2024

Wholesale beef trimmings prices are fading but remain higher than last year, according to data from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.   90% LEAN BEEF FADING   The data, which was compiled and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Service in Denver, shows wholesale 90% lean boneless beef last week at $374.77 per cwt, down … Read More

March Red Meat Exports Trend Higher

Exports of US beef, pork and lamb trended higher year over year in March, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. A USMEF said in a release that beef export value was the highest since June, while Latin American markets again fueled pork export growth. Plant eligibility … Read More

Heifer Retention Prospects Improve

Much of the Southern Plains received significant precipitation in April, providing a much-improved pasture, hay and pond water situation. The change offered cow/calf producers an improved pathway to heifer retention and herd expansion, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner.   THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT   If … Read More

March Kansas Feedlot Closeouts Drop

Closeouts of fed cattle from Kansas feedlots in March dropped seasonally to a level slightly less than the 2019-2923 average but continued to be more than March 2924. The data came from the Livestock Marketing Information Center, which was compiled from information gathered by the Kansas State University Extension service.  The Extension service surveys a … Read More

Managed Money Extends Net Long Live Cattle Position

Contributing to a rally in live cattle futures, large commodity index funds, known as managed money, extended to extend their net long position, according to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. In its weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday, the CFTC also showed that commercial traders, those who own, or will own, the cattle … Read More