Plains states cattle feedlots are said to be very current with their sales to packer buyers, and data show they continue to work toward keeping inventories current. Data also show, feedlots got current with expanded sales in December, January and February. Using Kansas feedlots as a proxy for the entire Plains states industry, March sales … Read More

The US red meat supply likely rose in March with increased cattle and hog slaughter rates, something that may moderate rising product prices for consumers and fed cattle and hog prices for producers. Supplies and beef production do not yet appear to be burdensome, but rising pork supplies at a time of seasonal production declines … Read More

Some cattle market analysts are saying feeder cattle prices may have hit their zenith for now and likely will retreat, and they may be right. The nearby May futures contract Monday made it to a contract high of $150.95 per cwt before sinking and closing lower.  And this was after three very strong days of … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, called managed money, again expanded their net long live cattle futures positions to the highest point in more than a year during the week ended Tuesday as commercial traders lengthened their net short position to its largest in more than a year. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday said in its … Read More

Live and feeder cattle futures settled sharply higher Thursday amid fears that cash cattle would trade higher this week when futures already lagged cash, market sources said. Apr live cattle settled up $3.57 per cwt with Jun up the daily limit of $3.00 at $121.52.  Aug, Oct, Dec, Feb and Apr also settled limit up. … Read More

Plains feedlots are beginning to sell cattle for delivery beyond the customary week to 10 days, hinting that fears of lower prices to come are beginning to permeate the trade. Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report showed the total number of cattle and calves munching grain in US feedlots was slightly above a year earlier … Read More

Total red meat supplies in US freezers at the end of March were down 5% from February and were down 7% from last year, a situation that is somewhat worrisome to beef and pork buyers. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service made the statement in its monthly Cold Storage report Monday. In the report, NASS … Read More