Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, took on a larger collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday while hedgers advanced their total net short position. The information came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   MANAGED MONEY BUYS CATTLE   As of … Read More

The USDA adjusted its red meat and poultry supply and use estimates for 2023 to reflect December production, ending stocks and trade data. All production and per-capita consumption estimates were adjusted downward slightly. The new figures were released in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report Thursday.   BEEF PRODUCTION SEEN LOWER   … Read More

Weather and pastures permitting, cow/calf producers this year are expected to begin the slow process of reversing course and rebuilding the US cattle herd. Market analysts agree the changeover will be slow as producers weigh the prospect of higher returns down the road for income from immediate sales of heifers. Feedlots also will have a … Read More

It looks like things will have to change before there can be significant numbers of live cattle deliveries this month. A look at basis calculations from the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver shows that the basis, the result of cash markets minus the futures delivery month price, is too narrow to make delivering on … Read More

There is little indication currently of a rising cow inventory in the near future, said Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, a letter called Cow-Calf Corner. There also is the potential for good profits for cow/calf producers in the short term, he said. The current cattle cycle, the multi-year pattern of … Read More

Large commodity index funds, known as managed money, continued extending their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday, almost doubling their position. At the same time, cattle owners, known as commercial traders, extended their total net short live cattle position. The data came from the weekly Commitments of Traders report … Read More

US beef imports are liable to remain elevated this year as cow slaughter slips. The latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report Jan. 12 had 2023 beef imports projected to end up at 3.708 million pounds, up 318,000, or 9.38%, from 2022’s 3.390 million.   BEEF COW SLAUGHTER STILL ACTIVE   USDA statistics … Read More