All in all, it’s been a good six and a half years for cattle feeders. Data from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and the National Agricultural Statistics Service that was compiled, analyzed and published by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver, showed that beginning with December 2016, there have been 64 profitable months versus … Read More

Farmer sentiment declined sharply in April, as indicated by the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which fell 15 points from March to a reading of 99, said Purdue University Agricultural Economist James Mintert, in a release. The April Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from April 8-12, 2024. Both sub-indexes of the barometer also … Read More

March US pork exports were steady with last year’s volume and edged higher in value, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. Beef exports and value were less than last March’s large volume but the value was the highest since June 2023, the USMEF said in a … Read More

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Thursday announced that it had turned up no H5N1 avian influenza virus in 30 samples of ground beef from retail stores.   BEEF IS SAFE   The “USDA is confident that the meat supply is safe.  USDA has a rigorous meat inspection process, where USDA’s Food Safety … Read More

Feeder cattle futures suffered a blow over a three-week period from the end of March through the middle of April in which many contracts lost $20 to $30 per cwt.  Since then, the markets have regained $10 to $15. Andrew Griffith, agricultural economist at the University of Tennessee said in a letter called Tennessee Market … Read More

The weekly wholesale price spread between fresh 90% lean boneless beef prices and their 50% lean counterpart continues to grow as 90% lean product holds its own as 50% product declines. What’s puzzling is that 90% lean beef is holding near its record high so well while prices for other beef cuts are fading. In … Read More