The number of fed cattle Kansas feedlots sold to packer buyers in April dropped more sharply than normal as managers tried to take advantage of packer demand and get ahead of what seemed to be lower prices to come. The Kansas State University Extension Service surveys representative feed yards around the state about their activities … Read More

In a move that surprised many and perhaps was a nod to Hindu conservatives, the government of India has banned the sale of cattle, including cows and buffaloes, for slaughter. India is a nation primarily made up of Hindus, a religion that venerates cattle and eschews eating meat.  News sources say 18 of its 28 … Read More

Fed cattle dressed weights are down and appear to be headed lower again after a gain two weeks ago, but weights should be turning higher. The USDA’s estimate of average live slaughter weights last week was 1,312 pounds down seven from 1,319 the previous week and 17 pounds below last year’s 1,329 pounds. Slaughter rates … Read More

This year’s first corn condition rating disappointed futures traders, resulting in a rebound to recover about half of Monday’s losses. The nearby Jul contract settled near the midpoint of the day’s range at $3.72 a bushel, up 5 cents on the day.  The move was not particularly remarkable, except that it closed above some major … Read More

What happens with beef markets now that the Memorial Day holiday has come and gone?  Will consumers continue to buy steaks and hamburger, or will they revert to roasts? Consumers now are staring at only two holidays.  They won’t look any farther out than the Independence Day holiday on July 4.  Between now and then … Read More

In a turn of events that may send cattle producers and feeders to their brokers, JBS SA, the world’s largest meat company, is facing a major corruption crisis. Many had wondered why the Batista family was able to steer a small, family owned business into the world’s largest meat company in just one generation.  Now … Read More

Western states show a significant drop in hay stocks as of May 1, yet all hay acreage in these states is down as well, pointing the way to tighter feed inventories. As of May 1, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that hay stocks in all but seven states west of the Mississippi River were … Read More