An Associated Press story on the National Public Radio website said McDonald’s was trying to reassure customers that its food was safe despite a deadly E.coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. At the time of this writing, at least 49 people in 10 states had been sickened, and one person had died.   … Read More

In a recent report, the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook said global growth was expected to remain stable yet underwhelming, and near-term policy priorities should be calibrated to ensure a smooth landing. At 3.2% in 2024 and 2025, the IMF’s growth projection was nearly the same as those in the July and April updates. … Read More

Large commodity index funds, otherwise known as managed money, bought live cattle futures contracts during the week ended last Tuesday, Aug. 15, while hedgers continued to sell short, according to the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. For both trader types, it was the fourth straight week of such … Read More

Monthly retail prices per gram of protein year over year were higher for ground beef, boneless pork chops and eggs, according to the USDA’s monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: October 2024, which was released Friday. Conversely, the retail price per gram of protein was year over year lower for bone-in chicken legs, boneless chicken … Read More

Prices for feeder steers in the Southern Plains have leveled, opening the possibility for gains on last year’s fall prices. More or less flat prices for 700- to 800-pound feeder steers in the Southern Plains fits the 2018-2022 average, although prices declined through most weeks of the period last year, according to USDA Agricultural Marketing … Read More

Through August this year, US beef imports rose 20.9% to just over 3.0 billion pounds as exports fell 3.6% to about 2.5 billion, according to the Livestock Marketing Information Center referencing USDA Economic Research Service data. The LMIC made the comment in a letter called In The Cattle Markets.   US BEEF IMPORTS RISE   … Read More

Farm loan delinquency rates at commercial banks remained limited through mid-year, despite an increase in farm debt and signs of financial tightening at the time, said a Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank release. The report, authored by Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Economists Nate Kauffman and Ty Kreitman, also said quarterly bank reports said second-quarter … Read More