September Kansas Closeouts Decline Seasonally

The number of fed cattle sold to beef packers from an average Kansas feedlot in September declined seasonally from what may be the annual high in August. The data came from a monthly Kansas State University survey of select Kansas feed yards.  This data then was extrapolated and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center … Read More

Funds Reverse Course, Raise Long Cattle Position

Large commodity investment firms, called managed money, reversed four weeks of selling live cattle futures and increased their collective net long position slightly during the week ended Tuesday. Commercial traders, or those who own the cattle and primarily use futures as a hedging tool, reduced their collective net short position in the same week. The … Read More

September Pork Exports Shine; Beef Not So Much

US September pork exports increased 10% year-over-year, keeping 2020 exports on a record pace, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. Beef exports were fairly steady with last year in major Asian markets but trended lower overall, the USMEF said.   CHINA LEADS AS US PORK BUYER … Read More

La Nina Forecast To Keep Southern US Dry

The growing La Nina in the Equatorial Pacific is forecast to keep the southern US warmer and drier than normal through the winter, expanding dry and droughty conditions across the western half of the country. The weekly US Drought Monitor from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday showed that most of the western … Read More

Farmer Sentiment Improves In October

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 27 points to a reading of 183 in October to set a record high, said Purdue University Agricultural Economist James Mintert, in a release about the barometer. Farmers were more optimistic about the future and current financial situations on their farms as the Current Conditions Index rose … Read More

Pandemic To Leave Deep Economic Scars

The pandemic-induced economic crisis is set to leave deep scars on world economies, said International Monetary Fund Economists Oya Celasun, Lone Christiansen and Margaux Mad Donald in an IMF blog. Capital erosion from prolonged high unemployment and school closures, value destruction from bankruptcies, and constraints on future fiscal policy from elevated public debt top the … Read More

Funds Sell Cattle, Buy Corn

Large commodity index funds, called managed money, again sold live cattle futures aggressively during the week ended Tuesday, taking them to their lowest collective net long position in more than five months. That was according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.  The report also said cattle owners covered their … Read More