Total red meat supplies in US freezers rose about up 3% through September, but were down about 1% from last year on Sep. 30, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service said in its monthly Cold Storage report Friday. Total frozen poultry supplies on Sep. 30 were down about 1% from the previous month and down … Read More

The difference between weekly wholesale prices for USDA choice and select boxed beef are reaching what might be called a decision point. The price difference, or spread, has widened sharply since its most recent low the second week of September, but this week or next is the point at which the 2018-2022 average begins to … Read More

An Associated Press story on the National Public Radio website said McDonald’s was trying to reassure customers that its food was safe despite a deadly E.coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounder hamburgers. At the time of this writing, at least 49 people in 10 states had been sickened, and one person had died.   … Read More

In a recent report, the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook said global growth was expected to remain stable yet underwhelming, and near-term policy priorities should be calibrated to ensure a smooth landing. At 3.2% in 2024 and 2025, the IMF’s growth projection was nearly the same as those in the July and April updates. … Read More

Large commodity index funds, otherwise known as managed money, bought live cattle futures contracts during the week ended last Tuesday, Aug. 15, while hedgers continued to sell short, according to the weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. For both trader types, it was the fourth straight week of such … Read More

Monthly retail prices per gram of protein year over year were higher for ground beef, boneless pork chops and eggs, according to the USDA’s monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook: October 2024, which was released Friday. Conversely, the retail price per gram of protein was year over year lower for bone-in chicken legs, boneless chicken … Read More

Prices for feeder steers in the Southern Plains have leveled, opening the possibility for gains on last year’s fall prices. More or less flat prices for 700- to 800-pound feeder steers in the Southern Plains fits the 2018-2022 average, although prices declined through most weeks of the period last year, according to USDA Agricultural Marketing … Read More