The US remained a strong exporter of beef and beef variety meats in February. USDA Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service data show exports sagged a little more than is seasonal but remained well above last year and the 2011-2015 average.  Imports also declined and did so at a steeper pace. US beef and … Read More

The USDA Tuesday raised its forecast for total red meat and poultry production from last month as higher beef and turkey production estimates more than offset forecast reductions in pork production. The new estimates were made in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report from the USDA’s World Outlook Board. In the report, … Read More

The number of fed cattle sold to packers by Kansas feedlots in February declined seasonally but remains above last year and the 2011-2015 average for the month, according to a Kansas State University poll of representative state feedlots. The K-State Extension Service surveys certain feedlots monthly and then extrapolates the results to arrive at calculated … Read More

Managed money, a proxy for large investment funds, expanded their net long live cattle futures positions during the week ended Tuesday to their highest point in more than a year as commercial traders enlarged their net short positions to their largest in more than 12 months. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission made the announcement in … Read More

The US cattle herd rebuild continues to slow.  It may even be drawing to a close, or at least taking a breather, as cow slaughter drops and heifer slaughter jumps. The Livestock Marketing Information Center has projected US herd growth to continue through next year at least with Jan. 1, 2019 estimated totals, ranging from … Read More

It is very important for cattle producers to pay attention to seasonal price tendencies, especially during a time when prices are expected to move one way or another. Producers also need to give heed to the overall cattle cycle, or the trend of US herd growth or decline, and the things that are influencing the … Read More

US consumer prices for food are lagging the general economy with meat and poultry items standing out, suggesting consumers may be willing to pay more for protein. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said, the US economy continues to grow with the February Consumer Price Index for all items at 243.603, above last year’s 237.111 and … Read More