Farmer sentiment improved in March as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose from 116 points in February to 127, according to a Purdue University release. The March barometer survey was conducted among 400 farmers across the nation from March 16-20.   CURRENT CONDITIONS INDES UP   The Current Conditions Index increased by … Read More

Am Artificial Intelligence US summer forecast “suggests trend toward warmer-than-average conditions, particularly across the West, with some potential for cooler-than-normal weather in the north and east.” That is a bit scarry for those looking for a large boost in heifer retentions and cattle herd rebuilding this year, for a significant portion of US grazing land … Read More

During the week ended Tuesday, managed money, a proxy for large commodity index funds, invested heavily in live cattle futures, extending their collective net long position. At the same time, cash cattle traders, called commercial traders, extended their total net short position, as related in the data from the weekly Commitments of Traders report from … Read More

Wednesday, we reported part of a speech given by Kansas City Federal Reserve President and CEO Jeff Schmid to the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City discussing monetary policy and the economic outlook. Schmid talked about economic tailwinds and headwinds that are affecting consumer spending, many of which have implications for the continued strong beef demand … Read More

Kansas City Fed President and CEO Jeff Schmid delivered remarks to the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City Tuesday, discussing monetary policy and the economic outlook.  Schmid addressed consumer spending, productivity, Artificial Intelligence, labor and demographic trends, energy prices, and inflation. He talked about economic tailwinds and headwinds that are affecting consumer spending, many of which … Read More

The US inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1 was 74.3 million head, up slightly from March 1, 2025, but down about 1% from Dec. 1, 2025, the USDA said in its Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. The report was interpreted bullishly by traders, rebuffing two days of price pressure and sending lean … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, known as managed money, increased their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday as cash cattle traders advanced their total net short position. That conclusion came from the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.   FUNDS TURN, BUY CATTLE   … Read More