Calves that are preconditioned at weaning are healthier and more resilient to the rigors of shipping and commingling prior to introduction in subsequent production programs, said Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialists Derrell Peel and Kellie Raper in a letter called Cow-Calf Corner. Preconditioning can add significant value to calves but requires planning and … Read More

As with any transition season (spring and fall) there are many weather unknowns, said Christopher Redmond, assistant meteorologist at Kansas State University, in a K-State Extension release. El Nino remains the most dominant seasonal driver along with tropical influences for the short term, Redmond said.  With on-going drought expansion, despite some moisture in coming weeks, … Read More

Farmer sentiment was notably lower in August, as the monthly Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index dipped eight points to a reading of 115, said Purdue University Agricultural Economist James Mintert in a release. This month’s Ag Economy Barometer survey was conducted from Aug. 14-18. This month’s decline was fueled by producers’ weaker perception … Read More

After a one-week hiatus, managed money, a proxy for large commodity index funds, resumed buying live cattle futures during the week ended last Tuesday, Aug. 29, as cattle owners boosted their total net short position. The data came from Friday’s weekly Commitments of Traders report from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.   MANAGED MONEY BUYS … Read More

After peaking last year at 224.35 pounds, US per capita red meat and poultry consumption on a retail weight basis is expected to decline through 2025. That prediction was made by the Livestock Marketing Information Center in Denver this week. The largest and most pronounced decline will be in beef, the LMIC said.  Pork was … Read More

Jeff Kearns, managing editor of the International Monetary Fund’s blog, wrote Wednesday that the IMF’s largest ever, $650 billion, liquidity boost continued to benefit the global economy. The Special Drawing Rights in August 2021, was intended to help “turn the pandemic crisis toward recovery,” Kearns said.   UNCONDITIONAL ASSETS   “SDRs are unconditional reserve assets … Read More

Herd expansion could begin soon, said Matthew Diersen, risk and business management specialist at South Dakota State University, in a Livestock Marketing Information Center letter called In The Cattle Markets. Beef cattle inventory levels are expected to remain low, with feed availability and costs limiting factors, Diersen said.   THINGS ARE CHANGING   But heading … Read More