Farm debt balances at commercial banks continued to rise in the third quarter, said Kansas City Federal Reserve Economists Cortney Cowley and Ty Kreitman, in a Bank release detailing the results of a survey of banks. According to the report data, growth in agricultural production loans slowed from earlier in the year but remained strong, … Read More

Federally inspected steer and heifer dressed weights may have peaked for the year. USDA data that was compiled, graphed and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center showed that steer and heifer dressed weights over the last two weeks were down from the previous week.  However, both remain well above the same weeks last year … Read More

The latest USDA forecast for 2024 red meat and poultry production was increased as views of higher poultry and beef production were offset partially by a lower pork production estimate.   2024 BEEF PRODUCTION SEEN HIGHER   The 2024 beef production estimate was raised 10 million pounds, or 0.04%, to 27.035 billion pounds from 27.025 … Read More

Exports of US beef and pork posted year-over-year increases in October, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation, with pork exports well-positioned to set annual volume and value records for 2024.   BEEF EXPORTS UP   October beef exports totaled 105,269 tonnes, up 823,000, or 0.79%, from … Read More

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, extended their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday for the eleventh straight week, according to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday. At the same time, hedgers, often referred to as commercial traders since they deal more in the cash … Read More

October steer closeouts, or sales, to beef packers from Kansas feedlots fell seasonally and could be the lowest of the season, according to data from the Kansas State University Extension Service. The KSU Extension Service collects feed yard performance data monthly from a select group of feedlots around the state, and the Livestock Marketing Information … Read More

The Federal Reserve Bank’s Beige Book, a summary of US economic activity that is published eight times a year, Thursday said economic activity rose slightly in most Federal Reserve districts since the last report on Oct. 23. Three regions exhibited modest or moderate growth that offset flat or slightly declining activity in two others, the … Read More