Despite comparatively high prices, it looks as though consumers are continuing to pay up for beef, mocking predictions of a mass consumption shift to pork or chicken. Monthly USDA studies of retail and wholesale prices for beef show a continuing climb to record-high prices amid warnings from some analysts that such gains may be short-lived … Read More

The amount of red meat, especially pork, in cold storage could hang over meat and livestock markets in coming weeks or months as supplies of pork increase counter-seasonally and beef supplies remain above a year ago. The USDA’s monthly Cold Storage report Friday showed April 30 total red meat supplies in US freezers were up … Read More

Wholesale beef prices weakened this week, with prices Thursday continuing to turn back a Tuesday rally attempt as holiday buying wanes. Retail grocers and restaurants by this week have all of their expected holiday sales in store and are just waiting for shoppers to begin their three-day Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The holiday, resplendent with … Read More

Slaughter steer prices in the Southern Plains are softening this week, increasing the difficulty of turning a profit for feedlots, a trend that will continue until the price of feeder cattle declines. More than any other factor, the price of younger cattle to put on feed and fatten for slaughter affects the bottom line for … Read More

Second-quarter beef production is expected to rise beyond seasonal norms this year, potentially weighing on beef and cattle prices and providing the weight that takes both lower. The gain in quarterly beef production normally runs around 266.5 million pounds, and last year’s increase was about 316.1 million.  But some analysts expect larger fed cattle and … Read More

Federally inspected cattle slaughter is rising seasonally but remains below last year and the previous five-year average, implying more beef will be available for the market for the next few weeks. As calves that were placed into feedlots last fall become ready for slaughter, the slaughter rate goes up, only to peak in late June.  … Read More

Managed money, or large speculators, went long cattle during the week ended Tuesday as nearby futures prices moved sideways and total open interest rose. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission said in its latest report for the week ended Tuesday that managed money boosted its net long position to 84,797 contracts from 79,351 the previous week, … Read More