Overall US pasture and range conditions have begun the year in better condition than they were at this time a year ago with the noted exception of California. Pasture and range conditions in the weekly National Agricultural Statistics Service crop updates are a good indicator of soil moisture and crop health in general.  Although the … Read More

Unhedged cattle feeders continued to lose money on every animal sold for slaughter last week, although they did make up some ground, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker. The calculations by Sterling Marketing, Vale, Ore., and published by AgWeb, estimated that cattle feeders lost $171.92 a head on the cattle sold last week, using … Read More

Total 2016 red meat and poultry production was projected to be above 2015, with beef production showing gains as the herd rebuilds and feedlots begin placing more cattle on feed. The USDA made that prediction in Tuesday’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.  It went on to say marketings of fed cattle to … Read More

Cash cattle prices this week appear to be at a crossroads.  Prices have a strong seasonal tendency to fade from early April into late July, but price gains the last two weeks put this trend in jeopardy. If prices gain again this week, it’s possible the seasonal trend could be put off or even be … Read More

Managed money, or large investors, increased its net long live cattle futures position during the week ended Tuesday, even though the nearby Jun contract moved sideways. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report showed managed money increasing its net long position by 8,259 contracts, or 11.7%, to 79,351 from 71,092 the previous … Read More

As this year’s corn and sorghum get planted and favorable weather forecasts abound, feed prices for cattle feedlots continue to slide.  Further declines are possible if El Nino lives up to its reputation of providing good and timely rain throughout the growing season. A look at the history of weekly Southern Plains corn prices shows … Read More

Choice grade wholesale beef prices are bumping against all-time record highs near $160 per cwt but lack the push to get and stay above the resistance. It can be argued that it’s too soon in the year to expect prices to make a serious run at the record, but statistics show that average prices (2009-2013) … Read More