Funds, Commercials Cut Net Long, Short Cattle Positions

Managed money and commercial traders cut their respective net long and net short positions in the week ending Tuesday, according to the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday. The weekly Commitments of Traders report is published by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission weekly listing the respective commitments of different types of futures traders on the … Read More

Choice Boxed Beef Prices Still Higher Than Year Ago, Average

Weekly USDA choice boxed beef prices fell this week, but remain much higher than a year ago and the 2019-2023 average. The USDA’s choice boxed beef price also is near the top of this year’s weekly averages, according to USDA data compiled and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver.  So, things aren’t … Read More

Raising Or Buying Heifers? Time To Push Pencils

With current inventory levels and producers beginning to think about expansion, the value of young cows and heifers is increasing as demand for breeding stock increases, said Hannah Baker, University of Florida Extension economist, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets. As discussed yesterday, pastures in the majority of the … Read More

Wheat Pasture Conditions Improve, Offer Options

Unseasonably cool, wet weather in late August resulted in the best prospects for early planted wheat in several years, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock marketing specialist, in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner. Rain across much of Oklahoma, especially in major wheat production areas, provided the moisture and cool soil temperatures necessary for wheat … Read More

Funds Raise Net Long Live Cattle Position

Large commodity index funds, referred to as managed money, raised their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended last Tuesday, Sep. 9, while hedgers decreased their total net short position. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission made the data known Friday in its weekly Commitments of Traders report.   FUNDS GET LONGER … Read More

WASDE Boosts 2025 Red Meat, Poultry Production Estimate

The USDA’s new forecast for 2025 red meat and poultry production was reduced from last month, with lower beef and pork production more than offsetting raised poultry production forecasts. The forecasts came in Friday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.   BEEF PRODUCTION FORECAST LOWERED   Expected … Read More

National Weather Service Intensifies Midwest Drought Ratings

Abnormal dryness and short-term moderate to severe drought continued to expand across the lower to middle Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, Central Appalachians, Northeast and Southeast, said the National Weather Service in its weekly Drought Monitor. However, heavy precipitation (two inches or more) resulted in a one-category improvement to central and eastern portions of Kentucky and … Read More