An overwhelming majority of America’s farmers who responded to a nationwide survey said they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. Conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation April 3-11, the survey showed 70% of respondents said fertilizer was so expensive they would not be able to buy all they … Read More

Overall economic activity increased at a slight to modest pace in eight of the 12 Federal Reserve districts, while two reported little change and two reported slight to modest declines, according to the Federal Reserve Bank’s Beige Book Wednesday. The Beige Book is a Federal Reserve System publication about current economic conditions across the 12 … Read More

The reasons for wholesale USDA choice and select beef prices to invert last week are elusive, but the move could indicate a shift in consumer choices at the retail meat case, a market analyst said. A CBS News story Monday said beef is getting harder for Americans to afford.  Retail prices have skyrocketed in the … Read More

A constant question agricultural economists have fielded over the last few months concerns beef demand.  Specifically, if retail prices have hurt demand. Economists will say that actual “demand” is difficult to measure, especially in the short run.  Demand may remain constant, but the ability to pay may fluctuate.  And, consumption is not a true measure … Read More

Large commodity index funds, or managed money, advanced their collective net long live cattle position to its largest point in nearly 10 months Tuesday, according to the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Cash cattle traders, meanwhile, extended their total net short position to their largest position in more … Read More

In its monthly World Supply and Demand Estimates report Thursday, the USDA said its 2026 total red meat and poultry production estimate was lowered. The production estimate for both was lowered on projections for reduced slaughter.   BEEF PRODUCTION ESTIMATE TRIMMED   The beef production forecast was reduced as lower steer and heifer slaughter in … Read More

February exports of US pork were slightly higher year-over-year, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. While beef exports trended lower, in large part because of continued lack of access to China, shipments of beef variety meat posted another strong increase.   PER-HEAD PORK EXPORT VALUE ROBUST … Read More