Much has been made of the contribution of Mexican cattle to the US Cattle on Feed report, but just how important is it in the larger scheme of things? To that end, Brenda Boetel, Extension agricultural economist at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, examined the question for the Livestock Marketing Information Center’s letter to Extension … Read More

Cattle feeders currently are aiming for a higher percentage of their cattle to grade choice rather than select, but lowered profitability may change their minds. That is, unless one of two things happen: (1) packers resume paying premiums for cattle that yield choice-grading carcasses or hold out the promise of strong premiums in coming weeks … Read More

Seasonal tightening of cull beef cow supplies are expected to have prices following closely to a normal increase going into 2019, but for now, prices are struggling to find a bottom, said Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, Derrell Peel in a letter to Extension agents. The cull cow market may have reached a … Read More

A new Farm Bill finally emerged from Congress this week, but in November, farmers expressed concern about the lack of new legislation. Minnesota Public Radio reporters Dan Gunderson and Elizabeth Dunbar quoted Minnesota Democratic Representative Collin Peterson saying Monday that the new bill looks a lot like the one that expired in September. Congress could … Read More

Blockchain technology, an open-source system of conducting business, has been touted as the hero of those seeking greater business flexibility and communication, but its complexity and need for a great many participants makes its adoption by the livestock industry seem far off. With an estimated 40% of US food wasted each year, it’s clear that … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, collectively called managed money, raised their net long position in live cattle futures during the week ended Tuesday as cattle owners extended their net short position. The data was released by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday in its weekly Commitments of Traders report. The report said managed money’s new net … Read More

USDA data compiled by the Livestock Marketing Information Center shows that expected per capita US beef consumption this year will total 57.0 pounds, up from 56.9 last year but below the projected 2019 total of 57.3 pounds. In making its assessments, the LMIC used steer price data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service and … Read More