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

A large weekend winter storm stressed Plains states cattle, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, in a letter to Extension Agents called Cow/Calf Corner. Fluctuating temperatures and cold, wet conditions stress cattle, particularly weaning calves, stockers and feedlot cattle, Peel said.  The challenges for feedlot cattle followed excellent feeding conditions for … Read More

Despite increasing somewhat from last year, originations of new farm loans at commercial banks remained subdued in the third quarter, said the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in a news release. Prices for most agricultural commodities remained low leading into the third quarter, contributing to a weak economic environment and weighing on lending conditions … Read More

The ratio of steers to heifers populating US feedlots can give some perspective on how cow/calf producers see profit prospects down the road. And with the October release of the USDA’s Cattle on Feed report, comes an update of the steer to heifer ratio in feedlots.  These figures come quarterly and help estimate the number … Read More

As microbial resistance to antibiotics grows into an ever-expanding problem for doctors and veterinarians, Lux Research has identified some solutions that fall into three main categories, the company said in a research paper. There is no silver bullet that will replace conventional antibiotics, Lux said, and alternatives will act primarily as preventative strategies that will … Read More

Large commodity investment firms, called managed money, liquidated long live cattle futures positions in the week ended Tuesday, while cattle owners covered short positions aggressively. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday gave the data that showed both categories of traders made opposite moves for the third straight week.   FUNDS … Read More

Total red meat supplies in US freezers on Sep. 30, were 968.392 million pounds, up 7.141 million, or 0.74%, from 961.251 million Aug. 31 but down 146.714 million, or 13.2%, from 1.115 billion last year, the USDA said in its monthly Cold Storage report Thursday. Total frozen poultry supplies on Sep. 30 came to 1.401 … Read More