US red meat exports surged in November, highlighted by a new monthly volume record for pork exports and a 2 ½-year high for beef. Pork and beef exports exceeded year-ago levels by more than 20% in volume and value, according to USDA statistics that were compiled by the US Meat Export Federation.   PORK EXPORTS … Read More

Kansas feedlot closeouts turned sharply lower in November and nearly matched 2015’s rate in a directionally seasonal move that still exceeded 2015 and the 2010-2014 average. Feedlot data was collected by Kansas State University economists from select feedlots around the state and extrapolated to come up with an estimate of average feedlot activity across the … Read More

A glance at the numbers shows there still are lots of feeder cattle poised to head to the feed yards, said Nevil Speer, vice president of US operations for AgriClear Inc., in a market outlook for Beef Magazine. It appears there are plenty of calves that still need to make their way to the feedlot, … Read More

Commodity funds, or managed money, expanded its net long live cattle futures position for the eighth straight week to its highest level in at least a year in the week ended Tuesday. Commercial traders, those who theoretically could make or take delivery of a futures contract, meanwhile, expanded their net short position for the eighth … Read More

US cow/calf producers appear to have stopped building the collective herd for now after stepping up the country’s heifer slaughter in November. Heifer slaughter actually diverged from last year in August and has remained well above the year-earlier rate.  The move was capped by a counter-seasonal increase in November that almost brought the industry back … Read More

Hog producers were expected to face challenging times this year amid growing production, uncertain world politics and rising costs, said Chris Hurt, agricultural economist at Purdue University, in FarmDocDaily.   A GROWING HERD   The USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report showed the number of pigs weighing less than 180 pounds was 4% larger than … Read More

The world’s economies are recovering slowly and were expected to continue the trend into 2017, which bodes well for beef demand and live cattle markets. Economists will say people will use extra income to better their way of life, and short-term pleasures will take precedence over long-term objectives first.  To that end, increases in income … Read More