The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.
Cash cattle and wholesale beef prices continued their fourth quarter retreat and record heavy carcass weights suggest cattle feeders have lost marketing leverage.
Northeast Iowa rancher operating as an unlicensed dealer pleaded guilty to livestock theft, wire fraud and one count of making a false bankruptcy statement.
Cattle feeders and beef packers both printed closeouts with red ink last week, slight advantage packers. Pork producers also operated underwater but pork packers saw improving margins.
A California jury deliberated for six days before returning guilty verdicts of conspiracy and trespassing for DxE co-founder Wayne Hsiung. The jury deadlocked on a second conspiracy charge.
Market-ready cattle prices have rolled back $10 per cwt. since the end of October and average carcass weights have increased to all-time highs, a sign feedlots are not as current as previously expected.
While it's likely the U.S. cowherd is generally of higher quality than it was a decade ago, today’s smaller herd presents an opportunity for ranchers to take another step forward with quality and management.
Light cattle sales volumes were recorded in all regions during Thanksgiving week with cash prices generally $1 lower than the previous week, marking the fourth consecutive week with lower cash prices.
Prices for market-ready cattle have tumbled $7 to $8 per cwt. since the beginning of the month even as supplies remain relatively tight. Volatility continues in the futures market.
Cattle feeding margins decline even as fed steers trade steady to higher for the week. Packer margins erode on weaker wholesale beef prices. Pork producer margins improve but remain underwater.
Cash trade was light as many cattle feeders passed on steady bids. Feeder cattle and calves traded mixed. Live and feeder futures contracts posted weekly gains.
Projected breakevens for cattle placed on feed have declined $10 per cwt. over the past month. Pork producer margins are declining even with feed costs 23% lower than last year.
A large contract foodservice company claims the nation's largest beef packers conspired to fix prices and drive up profit margins from 2015 through 2021.
A Wyoming legislator proposed issuing an unlimited number of elk permits to ranchers in an effort to reduce the overpopulation of elk in eastern Wyoming.
Authorities first became aware of the incident when a man called 911 reporting his son was shooting at him. Dispatchers also received a call that livestock were running loose and there was a fire on the property.
Cattle prices were weaker on the week with volatility in the futures markets and the season's first cold spell on the way. Wholesale beef prices traded higher seasonally.
Cattle feeders saw $1 to $2 gains in all regions during the week, but a struggling futures market and an unfriendly placement number in Friday's Cattle on Feed report may drag on cash prices in the short-term.
The 2023 U.S. CattleTrace Symposium, to be held November 14-15 at the American Royal Center in Kansas City, MO., will explore innovative solutions for rapid response during animal disease events.
Outside factors pressured cattle markets through most of the past week before futures and wholesale beef prices rebounded on Friday. Market fundamentals remain positive for cattle going forward.
The North American Meat Institute releases its 2023 Continuous Improvement Report with data submitted for this year’s report covering an estimated 90% of all meat sold in the United States.
Packers applied the brakes and cattle slaughter declined another 13,000 head last week and capacity utilization dipped 9%. Pork producer margins print $7 in the red.
Cattle futures posted weekly losses including a technically bearish weekly low close in December live cattle. Cash markets were weaker, but strong cash fundamental remain in place.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming rejected a proposal on Wednesday that would have barred USDA from operating commodity checkoff programs.
Higher cattle prices and declining wholesale beef prices pushed packer margins further underwater last week. Pork producer margins inched into the black.
Eight beef packing projects are in various stages of completion that could add 10% to total industry capacity; is it needed? What potential headwinds might these ventures face?
Cattle futures rallied to all-time highs on Friday after Thursday's sell off, supporting negotiated cash prices that reported mostly steady for the week.
Higher cattle prices and declining wholesale beef prices pushed packer margins underwater last week. Pork breakevens fell to their lowest point in two years.
Beef-on-dairy is arguably the most significant advancement for the U.S. beef industry in a generation, and no current review of the State of the Beef Industry would be complete without examining its impact.
Last week I learned I'm a 12-percenter, and if you're a Drovers reader it is likely you are a 12-percenter, too. That's not good, at least according to those who would regulate our dietary choices.
America’s beef producers are optimistic about the future, and the state of today’s industry is strong. Those are two highlights from the 2023 Drovers State of the Industry survey and reported in this special section.
Weaker cattle and beef prices were the rule in trading ahead of the long weekend, but this marks the 14th consecutive week negotiated cash prices have traded above $180 per cwt.
After six weeks running in the red, beef packers jumped back into positive margins after last week’s wholesale beef rally. Pork producers remain profitable.
Rancher doesn’t know whether it was rustler’s remorse or publicity that gave the bandits cold feet about trying to sell the sheep that prompted their return.