The fed cattle market continues to pop, said Agricultural Economist David Anderson of Texas A&M University, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets. “Pop as in a champagne cork not a balloon,” Anderson said. There certainly have been some fluctuations in prices, especially in the futures market, over the last … Read More

While concentrated in a few states, US cow/calf production is spread out across the country providing regional differences in feeder cattle prices. In general, those differences tend to reflect distance away from the middle of the contiguous 48 states where the cattle are fed for slaughter.   REGIONS   Data from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics … Read More

The decision to rebuild a cow herd is based on profitability, not just current prices, said University of Arkansas Agricultural Economists James Mitchell and Ryan Loy, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets.  A mathematical formula can be helpful. The economists said there are many factors involved in the decision … Read More

The weekly wholesale price difference between USDA choice and select grades of beef has narrowed the last two weeks but remains wider than either last year or the 2019-2023 average. Overall, the difference, or the choice/select spread, remains on an seasonally widening trajectory that won’t level out until late June, according to USDA Agricultural Marketing … Read More

During the week ended Tuesday, managed money turned and began extending their collective net long live cattle futures position.  At the same time, cattle owners lengthened their total net short position. The data came from the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.   MANAGED MONEY BUYS CATTLE   Tuesday, … Read More

Total red meat supplies in freezers on March 31 were down about 1% from the previous month and down about 4% from last year, the USDA said Thursday in its monthly Cold Storage report. Total frozen poultry supplies on March 31 were up about 1% from the previous month but down about 3% from a … Read More

Economic activity increased slightly to moderately across the twelve Federal Reserve districts in late November and December, said the Federal Reserve Bank’s Beige Book Wednesday. The report, which is published eight times a year, went on to say consumer spending moved up moderately, with most districts reporting strong holiday sales that exceeded expectations.   OVERAL … Read More