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

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