The USDA Tuesday trimmed its estimate of 2015 total meat production from its November estimate as lower pork, broiler and turkey production more than offset an increase in beef production estimates. In its monthly World Supply and Demand Estimates report, the 2015 meat production forecast was reduced to 48.420 billion pounds from 48.424 billion in … Read More

US meat markets dealt with rising supplies last year, and calculations show that a large part of fourth-quarter price pressure was the result of these large supplies. Official fourth-quarter 2015 numbers aren’t in yet, but calculations by the Livestock Marketing Information Center show the supply facing the US market is likely to be up about … Read More

Large commodity funds, known collectively as managed money, boosted their net long cattle position to its largest in nearly six months during the week ended Tuesday. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday reported managed money’s new net long position as of Tuesday was 19,789 contracts, the largest since the week ended Aug. 18.  It also … Read More

US beef and veal exports rose in November, a counter-seasonal move that gets product exports back near the 2009-2013 average. Beef and veal exports in November rose to 202.2 million pounds on a carcass weight basis from October’s 194.9 million, a gain of 7.3 million pounds, or 3.75%.  Normally, beef and veal exports decline in … Read More

It seems Kansas feedlots are trying to market heavyweight cattle. Data collected and assimilated by Kansas State University agricultural economists indicates statewide feedlot sales to packer buyers in November were the highest in years, while the final weights of steers declined slightly from October’s high. K-State Extension surveys sample feedlots around Kansas monthly and extrapolates … Read More

Some market analysts are advising clients to hedge first- and second-quarter fed cattle marketings as they see current prices near a top. Wholesale beef and fed cattle prices each made contra-seasonal moves higher in December amid supply fears as total cattle slaughter dropped and slaughter weights declined.  Early December jitters about market retaliation from Mexico … Read More

Large commodity funds made a modest addition to its net long live cattle position during the week ended Tuesday last week, bringing them to their largest net long position in four months. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Monday said managed money, a term for the large funds, had a net … Read More