US and other world pork exporters could see extra product demand as China culls nearly 100 million hogs and another 10 million sows over the last 18 months.  For US cattle and beef producers, higher pork exports would remove some domestic competition. A new Rabobank report estimates that the Chinese culling is equivalent to wiping … Read More

The CME Feeder Cattle Index has fallen below last year but remains well above the five-year average as the index this year trades on a flatter plain than last year. More calves are coming to the auction barns and more are expected through the fall as they are weaned and/or removed from seasonally fading pastures. … Read More

As cattle traders seek direction in a confusing market, nothing seems to fill the bill. Fundamental indicators aren’t performing as they should, and charts aren’t any better at providing clarity.  What’s a trader to do? For the last month, the Oct futures contract’s price and open interest basically have been moving sideways, which doesn’t help.  … Read More

Managed money, or large fund speculators, increased their net long live cattle positions during the week ended Tuesday as commercial traders grew their net short level more substantially. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission Friday said that for the week ended Tuesday managed money raised its net long cattle position to 19,820 contracts from 18,387 the … Read More

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