The current run-up in feeder cattle futures prices to new contract highs illustrates the strong demand for the calves in the country. Since making a swing low of $150.00 per cwt on Oct. 23, the Nov futures contract has shot up to Monday’s contract high of $160.30, surpassing the previous contract high of $158.02 set … Read More

Large investment funds, called managed money, further advanced their net long position in live cattle futures during the week ended Tuesday to its largest point since the week ended July 18. The announcement came Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in its weekly Commitments of Traders report. The CFTC said managed money’s new live … Read More

As the US corn harvest progresses, average annual prices received by farmers for their efforts are expected to climb a bit from last year. The average national price expected for the 2017 crop was $3.30 a bushel, compared with $3.15 for the 2016 crop, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service figures compiled by the … Read More

Feeder cattle and cow/calf prices have remained unseasonably strong this October, due mostly to strong demand through the entire cattle complex, fueled by declining corn prices. Feeder cattle futures have traded fairly steady the last four weeks which has continued to support calf prices, said University of Tennessee Extension Economist Andrew Griffith in his weekly … Read More

Beef packers always are reluctant to pay up for cattle to slaughter, but their reticence may be growing as values for hides and offal continue to decline. Hide and offal values traditionally are the make-or-break component of packing plant profitability.  Meat product values and prices are well known and followed closely by traders and market … Read More

For the first time in 32 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Pork Carcasses and is asking for public comment. USDA sources said the proposed change would help pork producers and processors by better aligning the grades with consumer expectations. USDA Grade Standards, like the … Read More

Hay production and forage supply quantities have improved slightly from mid-summer but cattle producers are still watching closely as the growing season ends, according to a report by an economic consulting firm. Steiner Consulting Group said drought conditions in the Northern Plains in late May worsened into the early summer. That forced abnormally high numbers … Read More