Cow and heifer slaughter rates this year have been up, possibly giving even stronger support to the idea that the cattle cycle has peaked and is on the way down, a market analyst said. Data and anecdotal evidence show that cattle producers have been struggling, so a downturn in the number of cattle in the … Read More

This summer, market advisor Nevil Speer wrote a series of articles for Beef magazine about the futures market, explaining various aspects of futures hedging and trading. This is the last in the series, and Beef has graciously allowed its republication here, edited for style and length.   HEDGING LEVEL   During the past several weeks, … Read More

US feedlot inventories likely are not at a peak just yet, said Oklahoma State University Agricultural Economist Derrell Peel in a letter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner. There have been some market disruptions that likely delayed, and will delay, calves and yearlings from being placed, Peel said.   TOTAL ON-FEED NUMBERS DIP   The … Read More

Monday’s monthly USDA Cold Storage report could be seen as supportive for beef and fed cattle markets as frozen beef supplies as of Aug. 31 were down from last year, a market analyst said. However, pork inventories rose from the 2018 report, which, given the international trade issues currently facing the industry, could be seen … Read More

Live cattle open interest declined sharply during the week ended Tuesday while live cattle futures prices were moving higher, showing the rally in futures was driven mostly by short covering, market analysis showed. CME Group data showed total live cattle open interest as of Tuesday was 335,533 contracts, down 21,109, or 5.92%, from 356,642 the … Read More

Last year, China replaced the US as the leading beef importer, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University agricultural economist in a letter to Extension agents called Cow/Calf Corner, who added that if Hong Kong is included, total China/Hong Kong imports were larger than the US beginning in 2017. World beef imports increased 17.7% from 2015 … Read More

The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book last week said total direct payments to farmers was expected to increase this year. Subsequent to the Beige Book’s release, the Bank released a summary of agricultural conditions by district.  This is a version of that release, edited for length and style.   SIXTH DISTRICT – ATLANTA   Much of … Read More