Although some in the cattle industry were surprised and frustrated with market reactions to Tyson’s fire at its Finney County, KS, beef plant, the type and duration of price behavior were exactly what is predicted by market economics, said Oklahoma State University agricultural economist Derrell Peel in a newsletter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner. … Read More

US pork exports continued to post very strong results in August, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation, while beef exports were below the 2018’s record-large totals.   THE BREAKDOWN   August pork exports increased 39,214 tonnes, or 21.5%, to 221,586 tonnes from 182,372 a year ago, while … Read More

Until scientists develop a vaccine for African Swine Fever, the best way to deal with the disease is by prevention, scientists say. Therefore, all known contact with countries that have it in their herds must be handled with care.  And the best prevention is knowledge of the disease and how it can spread. To that … Read More

The USDA crop reports the last couple of months generated a certain amount of disbelief among traders and hedgers who felt acreage estimates were too high given the number of prevent-plant acres reported to the Farm Service Agency. Many also felt the yield estimates were too high as well, given the late planting date for … Read More

Recent cattle producer conclaves have railed against the beef packer for making huge profits while leaving the cattle feeder in the dust, but weekly USDA boxed beef data shoes that beef values are coming back toward normal. The USDA’s weekly average negotiated price for choice 600- to 900-pound carcasses jumped in August, possibly a response … Read More

As corn supplies and basis levels shift based on local ethanol plant activities and the availability of distiller’s grains, cattle feeders can be expected to alter their feeding rations to maintain energy and nutrition, said Extension Agricultural Economist Elliot Dennis of the University of Nebraska in a letter to Extension agents from the Livestock Marketing … Read More

Farmers became much more pessimistic about current financial conditions on their farms and in the US agricultural economy in late summer, according to the September Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The barometer is based on a mid-month survey of 400 agricultural producers across the US.  This month’s survey was conducted from September 9-13, 2019. … Read More