The US beef industry is entering 2021 with a near-record number of cattle on feed and marketings below a year ago, indicating a large amount of meat coming to market in the first quarter to pressure prices, said Elliott Dennis, livestock Extension economist at the University of Nebraska/Lincoln, in a letter to Extension Agents. Historically, … Read More

Agricultural producer sentiment improved in December according to the monthly Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Purdue University Agricultural Economist James Mintert, said in a release that the barometer increased seven points from November to a reading of 174.  The barometer’s sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations, also were … Read More

Managed money, or large commodity index funds, increased their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday, Dec. 29, as hedgers trimmed their net overall short position slightly. The data came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report.   FUNDS SLIGHTLY LONGER CATTLE   As of Tuesday, … Read More

Several factors will shape cattle markets for the first few months of 2021 at least, providing a mix of opportunities and challenges, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, in a letter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner. Strong beef demand and tightening cattle supplies provide cautious optimism for cattle markets, Peel … Read More

Now that the US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services have released their latest dietary guidelines for Americans, the accolades or criticisms can begin. Updated every five years, the dietary guidance serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and shape the recommendations found on the USDA’s MyPlate. Since the … Read More

Estimated feedlot margins for unhedged fed cattle sold to packers, or marketed, last week rose about $18 a head from the previous week, despite rising costs, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker from Sterling Marketing Inc., and published by the Farm Journal’s Ag Web. The estimated packer margin for cattle purchased last week was … Read More

Current data are giving mixed signals about how US cattle herd inventories have changed this year, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist in a letter to Extension agents. Many will be watching the report closely as they reset their marketing strategies for 2021.   COW/HEIFER DYNAMICS AFFECT HERD CHANGES   Historically, … Read More