The USDA, at its annual Outlook Forum Thursday, kicked off the annual guessing game about the number of acres that would be planted to various crops this year, and feed grains drew the short straw. Such a scenario could raise feed prices for cattle, hog and poultry producers in the months ahead – that is, … Read More

Avian flu in China and South Korea is spreading, resulting in millions of birds being slaughtered to control its spread and opening the way for increased US exports. UPI, referring to a Yonhap News Agency report, said South Korea had destroyed more than 33 million birds since November in response to one of the worst … Read More

From slaughter/inventory ratios to auction values, all indicators point to a US beef cow herd that continues to grow. Two well-known cattle market analysts this week approached the market from two different angles and came to that conclusion.  Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, said in his Cow/Calf Corner newsletter that Oklahoma … Read More

Large commodity investment funds, or managed money, cut their net long live cattle futures position for the second straight week during the week ended last Tuesday. At the same time, swap dealers boosted their net long position for the twelfth straight week, and commercial traders cut their net short position for the first time in … Read More

On a monthly basis, retail grocers and restaurants are getting even more of the proceeds from the sale of beef, government data show. The current climate of a growing US herd and rising beef supplies, coupled with rising demand from a growing economy are allowing this trend, market analysts said.  Further widening of the gap … Read More

The latest available trade data for red meat, poultry and dairy show that foreign demand for these products accounts for a significant share of US animal products production, according to the USDA’s Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook Wednesday.   2017 BEEF EXPORTS SEEN STRONG   Last year, beef exports accounted for 10.1% of commercial production, … Read More

Things are getting tougher for beef packers as beef markets weaken and fed cattle prices and futures hold tough or even increase. Wholesale boxed-beef values are declining, following last year’s general trend and running below the 2011-2015 average.  It’s likely that booking for early spring retail features will take wholesale beef prices higher sometime within … Read More