The US’ aging locks and dams are long past their designed lifespan and need to be rebuilt. It may seem to be a long way from US cattle markets, but the country’s infrastructure is the envy of many nations and the main reason for the US’ success in world markets.  The system of roads, railroads … Read More

The USDA Wednesday raised its 2017 forecast for red meat and poultry production from last month as higher estimates of beef and broiler production more than offset expected declines in pork and turkey production. The USDA made the predictions in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report and went on to say that … Read More

With the live cattle futures market reverting to building in a “carry,” cash cattle markets this week could be a bit higher. A futures market with a carry is one in which successive delivery months are trading for increasingly higher prices, thus incentivizing owners to carry their commodity for future sale.  This is the normal … Read More

In response to increasingly intense regional drought, pasture and range conditions in the Northern Plains dropped again, and the encroaching drought has many western Corn Belt crop watchers concerned. The readings come from the weekly crop Report issued by USDA’s National Agriculture Statistical Service Monday States with particularly poor pasture and range readings are Montana … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, called managed money, cut their net long live cattle futures position for the third straight week in the week ended Monday to the lowest level in 3 ½ months. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission revealed the data in its weekly Commitments of Traders report on Friday. Managed money cut its net … Read More

So much for “meatless Mondays.”  US annual per capita red meat and poultry consumption has been climbing since 2014 and is projected to continue climbing through next year. Total red meat and poultry consumption in the US doesn’t seem to waver a lot from year to year.  However, total red meat and poultry consumption is … Read More

Fed cattle markets definitely are in the middle of the summer swoon. Fed cattle prices moved lower in June, finishing at $118.86 per cwt in the Southern Plains, down $17.46, or 12.8%, from $136.32 in the last week of May. While the average weekly price remained just above last year’s, the ratcheting down of cattle … Read More