Large commodity index funds, called managed money, again trimmed their collective net long live cattle futures position in the week ended Tuesday as cattle owners increased their total net short position. That was according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS WHITTLE NET LONG CATTLE POSITION   Tuesday, … Read More

Exports of US pork bounced back in June, finishing the first half of 2025 on a high note, according to data released by the USDA and compiled by the US Meat Export Federation. Beef export volume was the lowest in five years, due in part to China’s failure to renew registrations for the vast majority … Read More

Expana reported Wednesday that USDA choice and Certified Angus Beef markets were dull with many buyers seemingly on the sidelines. The question was, though, what are the buyers waiting for?  Were they wanting some clear direction from consumers, lower wholesale prices from beef packers, or are they cutting back on feature plans for the upcoming … Read More

Taken together, the USDA’s July Cattle on Feed and Cattle (Inventory) reports do not indicate significant heifer retention, said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, in a newsletter. Peel said he felt some movement toward herd rebuilding may be starting, but it’s very slow and cautious.  It is possible, perhaps even likely, … Read More

While there are seasonalities to the flow of wholesale beef and pork primal cuts, room remains for much diversity from year to year for each. Choice beef carcass negotiated prices appear to have peaked for the year, but some of the cuts may not have done so.  The same for pork, although pork may see … Read More

Large commodity index firms, known as managed money, trimmed their collective net long live cattle futures position during the week ended Tuesday as hedgers covered some of their net short positions. The information came from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s weekly Commitments of Traders report Friday.   FUNDS SELL CATTLE FUTURES   Tuesday, managed money … Read More

The weekly US Drought Monitor Thursday showed continued improvement in drought-related conditions across areas of the Midwest (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota), central and northern Plains (Kansas, Nebraska, Dakotas, eastern Montana), South (Texas), and in the Desert Southwest (New Mexico). That left the western states as the area most affected by drought and the … Read More