Latest News From Greg Henderson

Cattle feeders saw average profits of more than $300 per head last week while pork producers found average losses of about $13 per head.

U.S. House Agriculture's Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday provided an opportunity for animal agriculture stakeholders to detail their priorities they hope to achieve from lawmakers actions.

After Tyson Foods reports anemic first quarter sales and downgrades its forecast, The Wall Street Journal editors wrote, “This doesn’t look like an antitrust conspiracy or market oligopoly.”

Negotiated cash cattle prices declined for the fourth consecutive week in the South but held steady in Northern trades.

Grilling season set to kick off as both packers and cattle feeders operating with profitable margins. Pork producers continue the struggle to reach profitability.

Negotiated cash cattle prices declined for the third consecutive week in a moderate to active trade. Wholesale beef prices also declined yet remain above seasonal averages.

A fraudulent cattle scheme allegedly orchestrated by a Kentucky cattleman has left investors and a financial institution reeling under a $100 million loss.

Packers have navigated through the tightest supplies of the season while maintaining profitability. Now, supplies are anticipated to increase seasonally which could swing more leverage in their favor.

Wholesale beef prices hit a recent low the end of March at $280.51 per cwt., but the steady march higher since then put Friday’s close as the highest Choice cutout value for that week on data available back to 2004.

Cash cattle traded lower in all regions while feeder cattle and calves were mostly higher. Many analysts remain optimistic that the spring highs are yet to be seen.

Cash cattle prices declined last week for the first time in a month, but wholesale prices moved higher for the fifth consecutive week. Prices for yearling feeder cattle placed on feed topped $200 per cwt.

Misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding the use of mRNA vaccines in livestock continue, despite efforts of the scientific community, who emphasize, "mRNA from a vaccine will NOT be passed along in meat."

Negotiated cattle prices fell short of steady on the week, though fundamentals point to further gains in the short-term. Cattle on feed found 4.4% fewer cattle at the bunk, but placements were mildly surprising.

Cattle feeders have experienced their best month in years with prices reaching record levels. Hog producers, however, are struggling to keep margins out of the red.

How fair officials and the local sheriff, both unencumbered by intelligence, tarnished your image as a livestock producer and created a public relations disaster.

Passing on bids at record levels was common early last week and negotiated sales printed new record highs for the third week in a row. Analysts and cowboys are eyeing additional gains next week.

Average cattle feeding margins increased last week as negotiated cash prices set new record highs.

Cattle markets surging $10 higher over the past two weeks have pushed the 5-area average price to record levels and the rally may continue this week.

Packers chased finished cattle into the evening on Wednesday last week and the result was another rally in cash prices to new record highs, eclipsing the mark set in November 2014.

As cash cattle prices have been on an upward trajectory in 2023, packer margins have correspondingly moved lower. Sterling Marketing's weekly estimates are printing packer margins red for the first time in six years.

Cash cattle prices turned sharply higher last week as supplies continue to tighten. Moderate to active trade pushed cash prices to new highs for the year with some eyeing another surge next week.

Cattle feeding margins remain favorable despite higher costs. Tighter supplies of market-ready cattle become a growing challenge for packers as their margins are squeezed.

Northern feeders have experienced considerably more adverse weather and muddy pen conditions than southern yards, contributing to the tightening supply of well-finished cattle.

Cattle feeding margins declined last week after modest declines in cash cattle prices. Pork producer margins remain underwater.

A federal judge in Texas put WOTUS on hold in two states over the weekend but denied a concentrated effort by industry groups to stop the rule nationwide.

The positive basis created by weaker futures prices enticed hedged feeders to accept lower bids early in week. Friday's cattle on feed report further confirms a shrinking supply and will lend price support.

Momentum continues to shift in cattle markets with strong feeding margins and tightening supplies. Pork producers continue to struggle with negative margins.

Cybercriminals, cholesterol spiking ice crème flavors or just plain silly lawsuits? It’s becoming harder to distinguish which activities should cause our alarm.

A proposal for a new 320,000-square-foot beef processing facility has been submitted for a site in eastern Kansas by an unnamed retailer.

Cash fed cattle traded at steady money in all areas after futures markets moved lower Friday. Feeder cattle and calves posted significant weekly gains.

Profit margins for cattle feeders increased as cash prices moved higher last week. Pork producers continue operating with negative margins.

USDA issued a proposed rulemaking on Monday that would effectively close the "Product of the U.S.A." loophole that has been in effect since the repeal of COOL in 2015.

The 2023 bull market entered March with modest gains for fed cattle and some impressive gains for feeder cattle and calves. The spring seasonal rally is likely to extend well into April.

Cash cattle and wholesale beef prices moved higher last week, increasing profit margins for both cattle feeders and beef packers. Pork producers saw modest per head losses.

Legislation was introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate on Tuesday that seeks to reform the Beef Checkoff program the industry self-funds for promotional and educational use.

Cattle feeders continued gaining market leverage this week as prices moved higher and slaughter levels declined.

Utah state legislators have passed a bill they say closes a loophole that allowed two people accused of burglary to be acquitted last year after taking two sick piglets from a Beaver County pig farm.

Rising wholesale beef prices and declining packing plant utilization are two indicators to watch as the 2023 cattle markets unfold.

Attorneys on Wednesday argued conflicting accounts of how a Mexican national came to be killed on an Arizona borderlands ranch. The rancher is due back in court on Friday.

Packers grudgingly bid higher for the week in what was called a light to moderate trade. Cattle feeders were firm sellers as some passed on those higher bids late week.

The smallest beef cow herd in 60 years will be rebuilt cautiously as ranchers struggle to recover from the perfect storm of economic and weather black swans.

Cattle and hog harvest rates were lower last week with higher cash prices paid to farmers and feeders. Margins for both beef and pork packers are trending lower.

Counsel for the Arizona rancher held in the shooting death of a Mexican migrant claims self-defense, asks the court to reduce or eliminate bond.

A cattle rally is under way and attempts by packers to ignore it are having little effect. Cash cattle prices ticked up as front-end supplies continue to tighten.

Rancher asks for reduction of $1 million bail to care for wife and his ranch. Meanwhile, Christian crowdfunding platform GiveSendGo seeks to help with legal fees.

Beef exports set records for both volume and value in 2022, while pork export value finished with the third-largest year on record.

Cattle prices moved higher last week but cattle feeding margins remain modest. The supply-demand fundamentals are trending in favor of cattle feeders.

Global consumers are changing their purchase preferences based on sustainability, and two-thirds now choose to purchase products based on environmental friendliness.

America's beef cow herd shrank by 4% last year, leaving the total inventory down 3% and the smallest in eight years.

Rising production costs and steady to weaker cash prices trimmed cattle feeding margins to near breakeven levels. Pork producer margins remain solidly in the red.