Annual pork and chicken production are expected to rise this year, and the lower prices the extra production is likely to bring will increase per capita consumption, but the lower prices also are expected to curb production next year. Per capita disappearance, often called consumption, for pork is expected to decline to historically normal levels, … Read More

Managed money last week reduced its net long live cattle position 2.19% to 71,982 contracts from 73,593 the previous week as futures prices attempted to rally but fell to a double bottom near $155.10 per cwt. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission released the data Friday for the week ended Tuesday and said the drop in … Read More

If all goes according to predictions and the weather cooperates, corn prices for cattle feeders, hog producers and poultry integrators will rock along in a narrow range until harvest.  At that time, prices will be more volatile, but still should average near current levels. Last week’s Omaha corn price of $3.71 a bushel was down … Read More

The USDA’s monthly Cold Storage report Thursday showed the amount of red meat in cold storage went down last month as pork and beef tonnage fell, although the total remains well above last year and the previous five-year average. The Storage report is less of a market influence than other reports, and market analysts said … Read More

Slaughter steer prices are headed lower, having begun a seasonal slide two weeks ago that usually lasts into late July or early August. Average southern Plains slaughter cattle prices last week dipped $2.13 per cwt, or 1.31%, to $160.87 from $163 the previous week.  The market peaked the last week of March at $166.99. USDA … Read More

Despite near record-high prices for beef, packers and feedlots continue to operate with negative margins, although potentially rising inventories of heavier cattle could lift packers into black ink this year. In its latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook report, the USDA said disproportionate placements of heavy feeder cattle into feedlots, relatively low corn prices and … Read More

Managed money boosted its net long live cattle position during the week ended Tuesday while commercial traders expanded their net short positions for the fourth week. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission reported the trade positions on Friday in its weekly Commitments of Traders report. Managed money, or large investors, had a net long cattle position … Read More