Estimated returns for commercial cow/calf producers are expected to drop again in 2016, removing some incentive to continue expanding the cow herd. Demand for feeder cattle is declining as feedlots continue to bleed red ink, and the herd is growing, making more calves available for purchase.  However, estimated cow/calf returns still are above all previous … Read More

The extreme losses cattle feeders suffered in 2015 likely will continue well into 2016 before they begin to get better in the spring, an extension livestock economist said. “It’s very bearish,” said Kansas State University Extension Livestock Economist Glynn Tonsor of his outlook for cattle feeders in 2016.  Closeouts through July are particularly negative. In … Read More

The USDA’s choice cutout value appears to be aiming to resume longer-term average levels as supplies increase and the year-end holidays are winding down. While prices of individual beef cuts fluctuate seasonally, the USDA’s overall choice cutout value tends to remain in a narrow range.  At least it did in the 2009-2013 period when fresh … Read More

Managed money trimmed its net long position in live cattle futures during the week ended Tuesday, despite the beginnings of a steep rally last week. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments–Of-Traders report Monday for the week ended Dec. 22 showed managed money, a term for large speculative firms, trimmed its net long position by … Read More

A blizzard rolled across eastern New Mexico and through the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles over the Christmas weekend, bringing heavy snow and cold temperatures that would stress cattle in the affected area. However, overall conditions were not as bad as was feared on Thursday.  The Southeast seemed to get the worst of it in rain, … Read More

Pork production rose above beef production this year, and if the USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs report is any indication, pork availability will continue for months to come. The USDA Wednesday reported record-high inventories of hogs and pigs on Dec. 1 with the breeding herd up about 1% from a year ago, the market hog … Read More

Tuesday’s USDA Cold Storage report reconfirmed that beef likely will continue to struggle for market share for some time. The report showed total stocks of beef in US freezers on Nov. 30 amounted to 510.5 million pounds, up 4.6 million, or 0.91%, from 505.9 million on Oct. 31, and up 109.7 million, or 27.4%, from … Read More