Last week’s rally to new record prices pushed packer and feeder margins in opposite directions. Pork producer margins continue higher with prices now above year ago.
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.
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.
Rising costs have forced stoppage of construction on the expansion of Iowa Premium's beef slaughter facility in Tama, Iowa, the company confirmed Thursday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!