At the end of 2025, the outlook for the US farm economy remained subdued alongside weakness in the crop sector, but aggregate farm financial stress remained limited, said Ty Kreitman, economist with the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, in a release. Direct government payments and resilient farm real estate values have eased some of the … Read More

The USDA’s monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report for 2026, said the total red meat and poultry production estimate was raised as higher estimated beef and pork production partially offsets a lower broiler and turkey production estimate.   BEEF PRODUCTION ESTIMATE RAISED   The 2026 beef production estimate was raised to 25.920 billion … Read More

As more market analysts publish their takes on the Jan. 1 USDA Cattle (Inventory) report, it becomes clear that the bull market for cattle is likely to continue. It all still depends on the beef consumer.  If high retail prices don’t drive them away, the market can at least continue to be supported at its … Read More

Large commodity index funds, called managed money in the industry, expanded their collective net long live cattle positions during the week ended Tuesday while cattle owners put on some fresh short positions. The information came from the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.   FUNDS PUSH NET LONG CATTLE … Read More

The USDA’s weekly pork cutout value is running at a higher level than the same week last year and the 2020-2024 average, pushing feeder pig prices higher. Weekly prices for 40-pound feeder pigs are rising faster than is average and already are higher than last year’s peak.  They even started the year at a higher … Read More

The semi-annual USDA Cattle (Inventory) report Friday fell short of revealing data telling of herd rebuilding. The report only hinted at the first whiff of herd rebuilding with heifer numbers being kept for breeding up about 1%.  But many in the cattle industry have said for the last few years that herd rebuilding would begin … Read More

Farmer sentiment weakened sharply in January as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index dropped from 136 in December to 113 in January. The Current Conditions Index dropped 19 points while the Future Expectations Index dropped 25 points. The January barometer survey took place from Jan. 12-16.   FARMERS LOOK AHEAD   Among the … Read More