Latest News From Greg Henderson

Kansas Works To Assist Feedyards After Heat Losses
Kansas Works To Assist Feedyards After Heat Losses

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says her administration is working to help Kansas cattle feeders who experienced death losses due to the mid-June heat wave.

Rare June Rally Pushes Cash Cattle to New 2022 High
Rare June Rally Pushes Cash Cattle to New 2022 High

Active cash cattle trade in the northern feeding region led to a $4 to $5 rally this week even as an early season heat wave gripped the plains states.

Greg Henderson
Packing Plant Fool's Gold

Monday morning packers are convinced the solution to low cattle prices is more carcass hooks. Reality, however, suggests proposed new packing plants are out of step with cattle inventories and available labor.

Baxter Black, DVM: 1945 - 2022
Baxter Black, DVM: 1945 - 2022

Baxter Black, the veterinarian turned cowboy poet, storyteller and philosopher of rural life in America, died Friday, June 10, at the age of 77.

Buster Welch: 1928 - 2022
Buster Welch: 1928 - 2022

Buster Welch holds a record of five National Cutting Horse Association Futurity Championships, and also has won four NCHA World Championship titles.

Divestment plan leads to ownership changes for 11 feedlots
WASDE Raises Forecast Red Meat and Poultry Production

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service raised its forecast for total U.S. red meat and poultry production in its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) on Friday.

National Beef Halts Construction On Iowa Premium Expansion
National Beef Halts Construction On Iowa Premium Expansion

Rising costs have forced stoppage of construction on the expansion of Iowa Premium's beef slaughter facility in Tama, Iowa, the company confirmed Thursday.

New Antitrust Suit Targets Big 4 Packers
New Antitrust Suit Targets Big 4 Packers

Grocery retailer Giant Eagle alleges the nation’s large beef packing companies have exploited their market power to limit the supply of beef and raise prices in a new lawsuit filed in Chicago on Wednesday.

Beef Exports Top $1 Billion Again, Pork Exports Below Year Ago
Beef Exports Top $1 Billion Again, Pork Exports Below Year Ago

U.S. beef exports maintained a remarkable pace in April, topping $1 billion for the third time this year. April pork exports were well below the large totals posted a year ago.

$1.1 Billion Next-Generation Beef Plant Proposed for Rapid City, SD
$1.1 Billion Next-Generation Beef Plant Proposed for Rapid City, SD

An 8,000-head per day state-of-the-art beef processing facility utilizing robotics and other high-tech features was announced in Rapid City last week. Groundbreaking would be as early as next year.

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Amarillo Approves Incentives for New Producer-Owned Packing Plant

The city of Amarillo has approved incentives to encourage Producer Owned Beef, LLC, to locate their proposed new packing facility at a site in the Texas city near I-40.

Profit Tracker – Cattle Margins Down, Pork Higher
Profit Tracker – Cattle Margins Down, Pork Higher

Lower average cattle prices last week cut average feedyard margins by $43 per head last week, while pork producers saw a $5 per head increase in average margins.

R-CALF Loses Appeal On RFID Challenge
R-CALF Loses Appeal On RFID Challenge

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th District rejected claims that two working groups formed to discuss radio frequency identification violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

West Texas Judge, Three Others Arrested For Cattle Rustling
West Texas Judge, Three Others Arrested For Cattle Rustling

Law enforcement agents traveled to a rural and sparsely populated West Texas county on Friday to arrest the county judge, a former sheriff’s deputy and two ranch hands for cattle rustling.

Cash Fed Cattle $2 Lower, COF 2% Higher
Cash Fed Cattle $2 Lower, COF 2% Higher

Negotiated cash cattle prices were $2 softer last week in a moderate to active trade. Friday's Cattle on Feed report reported an inventory of 12.0 million head, up 2% from last year while a 1.3% decline was anticipated.

The Great Cow Roundup
The Great Cow Roundup

Widespread drought, higher costs of production and meager profit margins are driving beef cows to market at an alarming pace.

Drought Lingers Over the West and Great Plains
Drought Lingers Over the West and Great Plains

American ranchers face a dry start to the summer grazing season as about half of the nation's beef cows reside under some designation of drought. Texas shows 76% of pastures in poor to very poor condition.

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Alberta Man Linked To Multi-Million-Dollar Hay ‘Scam’

A Canadian man alleged to be linked to multi-million-dollar hay fraud schemes in Montana, has been charged with similar crimes in Alberta.

Meatpackers Pushed "Baseless" Claims To Influence White House, Report Alleges
Meatpackers Pushed "Baseless" Claims To Influence White House, Report Alleges

The House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis alleges meat packers pressed “baseless” claims of beef and pork shortages early in the pandemic to persuade the Trump Administration to keep operations running.

Firefighters from across Kansas and Oklahoma battle a wildfire near Protection, Kan., Monday, March 6, 2017.
New Mexico Wildfire Torches Nearly 180,000 Acres, Texas Under Threat All Week

As the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire continues in New Mexico, Texas Panhandle residents are under a severe fire risk warning with high temperatures and high winds forecast all week.

Proposed Missouri Beef Plant Meets Resistance
Proposed Missouri Beef Plant Meets Resistance

Opponents of American Foods Group's proposed Missouri packing plant have appealed the conditional permit granted for the facility and a hearing is scheduled for later this month.

Beef Export Value Sets Another Record; Pork Exports Improve
Beef Export Value Sets Another Record; Pork Exports Improve

Demand for U.S. beef continues on a record-setting pace in March while pork exports were the largest of the year, yet well below last year's record set in March.

Most Prefer Beef Burgers Over Substitutes
Most Prefer Beef Burgers Over Substitutes

A new poll of global consumers suggests they’re not giving up beef burgers for environmental reasons, but the study itself maligns livestock production with faulty claims.

Canada Beef Announces Global Marketing Plans
Canada Beef Announces Global Marketing Plans

Canada Beef will spend $3.6 million to promote Canadian beef and veal exports globally and enhance awareness of the value proposition created by farmers and other participants within the beef and cattle supply chain.

NASS Says 2021 Cattle and Hog Producer Incomes Up Double Digits
NASS Says 2021 Cattle and Hog Producer Incomes Up Double Digits

Gross incomes for both cattle and hog producers were up double digits from 2020 to 2021, according to a recent report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Cash Cattle Firm, Futures Tumble to Seven Week Low
Cash Cattle Firm, Futures Tumble to Seven Week Low

Cash cattle trade was active at steady prices while cattle futures saw sharp losses triggered by USDA’s bearish Cattle on Feed report, with chart breakdowns fueling technical selling.

Tyson CEO Provides Statement Ahead of House Agriculture Committee Hearing
Tyson CEO Provides Statement Ahead of House Agriculture Committee Hearing

Prior to testimony at the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Wednesday, Tyson Foods Inc. President and CEO Donnie King released a statement to give his perspective about cattle and beef market practices.

R-CALF Asks FTC and DOJ to Investigate Vertical Integration of Feedlots
R-CALF Asks FTC and DOJ to Investigate Vertical Integration of Feedlots

Concerned about consolidation of the feeding industry, R-CALF has asked the FTC and DOJ to investigate the degree of buyer power beef packers exercise over feedlots – in particular, the 77 largest feedlots. 

Cash Cattle Rallies Ahead of COF Jump
Cash Cattle Rallies Ahead of COF Jump

Cash cattle prices saw a surprising but welcome rally ahead of Friday’s Cattle on Feed report, which looks bearish for next week’s futures markets. COF totaled 12.1 million head, 1.7% higher than last year.

Profit Tracker – Cattle Margins Up, Pork Slips
Profit Tracker – Cattle Margins Up, Pork Slips

Cattle feeding margins improved with a $2 per cwt. increase in cash cattle prices while farrow-to-finish hog margins declined modestly on slightly lower lean carcass prices.

New Zealand Company Offers Net Carbon Zero Angus Beef
New Zealand Company Offers Net Carbon Zero Angus Beef

Capitalizing on growing demand for products that are more environmentally “friendly,” a New Zealand company began offering USDA-approved Net Carbon Zero Angus beef in the U.S. in March.

Counting Cows: Drought, Costs Will Drive Further Reductions
Counting Cows: Drought, Costs Will Drive Further Reductions

With spring upon us and drought persists, liquidation puts the industry on track to reduce the nation’s cowherd back near 2014 levels, which was the smallest beef cowherd since 1952.

Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Margins Near Steady
Profit Tracker: Cattle, Hog Margins Near Steady

Both cattle and hog finishing estimated margins were positive last week despite rising feed costs across both enterprises. Cattle slaughter totals increased while hog processing numbers were near steady.

FSIS Asked to Recall Beef Over Failed Antibiotic Tests
FSIS Asked to Recall Beef Over Failed Antibiotic Tests

Groups are calling on USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service to recall any antibioitic-positive beef that was destined for USDA-approved "raised without antibiotics" labeling programs.

Beef Fails Antibiotic-Free Test in New Study
Beef Fails Antibiotic-Free Test in New Study

A substantial portion of beef advertised as “raised without antibiotics” may, in fact, contain antibiotics, according to research by George Washington University published in Science Magazine.

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Grassley Expects Hearing on Cattle Market Reform Bill

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he is “confident” the Senate Agriculture Committee will conduct a hearing on the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022 introduced last week.

Beef Export Demand Soars, Pork Exports Decline
Beef Export Demand Soars, Pork Exports Decline

Global demand for high-quality U.S. beef, pork and lamb has proven resilient, and USMEF sees opportunities for further growth in both established and emerging markets.

Profit Tracker: Cattle Feeding Margins Improve
Profit Tracker: Cattle Feeding Margins Improve

Average cattle feeding margins improved the final week of March, while average farrow-to-finish hog margins declined modestly.

Impact of Increased Use of Non-GM Feed on Animal Feed Industry
Impact of Increased Use of Non-GM Feed on Animal Feed Industry

Continued demand for non-GMO feed for livestock will increase greenhouse gas emissions on farms, and raise consumer prices for meat, milk and eggs, according to a study by Iowa State University.

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R-CALF Says New Studies ‘Validate’ Calls For Market Reform

Two new economic analyses of the U.S. cattle markets suggest Congress “must do more” to implement reforms, says R-CALF USA. University economists note neither study has passed peer-review.

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Second Mistrial In Poultry Price-Fixing Case

Jury deadlocks over price-fixing, bid-rigging allegations by poultry executives. Prosecutors suggest a third trial but the U.S. District judge wants a explanation from the head of the DOJ’s Antitrust Division first.

Cowboys React To Revised Cattle Price Discovery Bill
Cowboys React To Revised Cattle Price Discovery Bill

Monday’s reveal of the Senate’s updated cattle market reform bill generated some strong opinions from a cross-section of industry stakeholders, but no consensus.

Senators Revise Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act
Senators Revise Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act

Four U.S. Senators announced they have introduced a revised Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act and will push for a hearing on the bill by the Senate Agriculture Committee in the coming weeks.

Cattle Trade Steady to Higher, COF 1% Higher
Cattle Trade Steady to Higher, COF 1% Higher

Fed cattle trades began the week at steady before finding higher bids late week. Cattle on feed numbers remain high as USDA reported a 9% increase in February placements over last year.

U.S. and Japan Agree To Increase Beef Safeguard Trigger Level
U.S. and Japan Agree To Increase Beef Safeguard Trigger Level

U.S. and Japanese officials announced an agreement allowing American producers to meet Japan’s growing demand for U.S. beef while lowering the risk of Japan imposing higher tariffs in the future.

North Platte Approves Support for Sustainable Beef Plant
North Platte Approves Support for Sustainable Beef Plant

Sustainable Beef has taken another step towards making a new $325 million beef processing facility in North Platte, Neb., a reality.

Champion Steer Sells For $1 Million in Houston
Champion Steer Sells For $1 Million in Houston

Selected as Grand Champion Jr. Market Steer from a field of 1,750, Vanilla Ice sold for a record $1 million at the 90th Anniversary of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Greg Henderson
Colorado Animal Activist Kessler Charged With Animal Cruelty

A controversial animal rights activist and former member of the Colorado State Board of Veterinary medicine has been charged with animal cruelty. The blatant hypocrisy is stunning.

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Cattle Markets Struggle With Steady

Cash fed cattle prices traded mostly steady in what most describe as a disappointing market. Cattle feeders began the week asking higher prices but cash bids of $138 bought most cattle in the South.

Greg Henderson
U.S. Senate Works Overtime to Protect Sunshine

A foreign leader addressing a joint session of Congress this week was a rarity. Not to be outdone, the partisan and often cantankerous members of the U.S. Senate passed legislation unanimously on a voice vote!