The number of fed steers and heifers Kansas feedlots sold to packers in July dropped from this year’s peak so far in June, putting total numbers closer to last July 2017, according to data collected by the Kansas State University Extension Service and compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center. June’s feedlot closeout rate was … Read More

The USDA, along with four industry associations are working very closely together to help keep the US free of African Swine Fever and all other foreign animal diseases, said Pork Magazine, quoting a National Pork Board statement. Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes said in the article that ASF in the US could cost the … Read More

Purdue University’s Ag Economy Barometer rebounded in August to a reading of 129 after falling to 117 in July, but remained well below the readings of 141 in May and 143 in June, said a report on the Barometer Tuesday. The sentiment shift primarily was attributed to producers’ improved perceptions of current conditions, the report … Read More

Large commodity investment firms, called managed money, cut their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday after reaching their highest point in 5 ½ months just the week before. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in its weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday that as of Tuesday, managed money’s net … Read More

US wheat futures prices Thursday were unable to sustain Wednesday’s rally after traders re-examined world stocks and decided that a big rally may be premature, although still feasible. Wheat prices also were pressured Thursday by investors reducing their Sep long positions with first notice day today, market analysts said. However, with tightening world supplies, there … Read More

More cows were culled in July than in recent years, according to data from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, and prices took a hit. The Livestock Marketing Information Center reported that nearly all carcass grades of premium white, breaker, boner and cutter showed larger volumes when compared against July 2017.  Nationally the exception was premium … Read More

Cash prices for slaughter-ready hogs are tumbling, and many credit the decline to the cumulative effects of higher pork production and rising tariffs by major pork export markets. The average cash price paid by pork packers in Iowa and Southern Minnesota last week was $38.89 per cwt, said the Livestock Marketing Information Center after crunching … Read More