The Southern Plains feeder cattle market is holding within a narrow range, but is expected to wane as spring calves begin coming to market over the next several months. However, Andrew Griffith, extension agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee, said the feeder cattle market is getting some support in the form of rising wholesale … Read More

The USDA Wednesday lowered its forecast for total meat production for this year and next, saying beef and chicken production will decline while pork holds steady. In its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, USDA economists said 2015 and 2016 beef production would be lower than its July forecast because of a combination of … Read More

US range and pasture conditions remain well above last year and the previous five-year average, allowing cattle producers to keep cattle on grass longer than in many previous years. Chris Reinhardt, extension feedlot specialist at Kansas State University, said some grass types “mature by the calendar” and the grazing season cannot be extended. However, other … Read More

Traders are watching beef prices for signs of a seasonal turn higher, and they may have gotten their wish with last week’s bounce in the USDA’s weekly cutout value. The USDA reported its value for choice 600- to 900-pound beef carcasses last week at $234.84 per cwt, up $2.12, or 0.91%, from $232.73 a week … Read More

Managed money funds continued to liquidate long live cattle positions in the week ended Tuesday, even though futures prices were rising rapidly, according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Managed money cut its nets long position to 18,367 contracts in the week, down 9,476, or 34.0%, from 27,843 the previous week.  It marks the ninth … Read More

Conversion rates in Kansas feedlots held about steady over the past two months of data, snubbing a strong seasonal tendency to decline rapidly, as cattle feeders place heavier calves on feed, an extension feedlot specialist said. Chris Reinhardt, Kansas State University economist, said the availability of grass and an economic incentive to keep calves on … Read More

All things being equal, it still pays better for cattle producers and feeders to focus on the genetics that produce prime beef rather than branded programs. That’s not to say branded programs don’t pay, because they do.  It’s just that turning out prime beef pays better over time, if cattle producers are able to accomplish … Read More