Markets
John Nalivka’s projections for the 2020 Cattle Inventory show a decline of 1.6%, which, if realized, would be smallest inventory number since 2016.
Over the past 10 weeks, cattle feeders have gained market leverage in a rally the likes of which have not been seen in many years.
The new year brings with it several changes in ongoing market dynamics, some new opportunities, and some new risks and continuing challenges for cattle and beef markets.
Packers were aggressive in obtaining inventory to start the new year, and the result was a cash cattle market that gained $2 in both the north and south.
As consumers glean more information about where their food comes from, producers need to focus on how they manage their farm or ranch. Beef Quality Assurance certification is a good place to start.
Cash cattle prices traded higher in the north, with dressed sales reported $3 to $5 higher. Feeder cattle markets saw a limited holiday-week test.
Packers were eager to push their inventory higher last week and prices in all regions responded by moving $1 to $2 higher.
Cash cattle prices traded $1 to $2 ahead of Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report which reported a 2.5% increase in the number of cattle in feedlots.
Steers and heifers sold at auctions this week steady to $3 lower. AMS said with the holidays and the end of the year fast approaching, many auction markets saw heavy runs of cattle.
Sharply higher carcass weights have boosted beef production, though another round of winter weather hitting parts of cattle feeding country may temper that in the last few weeks of the year.
In anticipation of reduced harvest during the holidays, packers are sitting in a good inventory position going into the next few weeks.
Brazilian federal prosecutors have charged JBS S.A. and its holding firm J&F Investmentos, along with 14 other individuals, for alleged fraud in the approval of investments and loans by national development bank.
Last week was one of the last chances for cattle feeders to push the market up to the $120-plus price range. Three packers were in the market to buy cattle by feeders chose to settle for steady money.
Severe weather inevitably means management challenges and higher costs for producers but may also have market impacts if poor conditions are widespread enough.
A recent study that didn’t condemn red meat drew outrage from numerous self-proclaimed health authorities. But a prominent M.D. has now weighed in with the opposite opinion.
Designed to identify superior Hereford-influenced feeder cattle, the Hereford Advantage program now offers additional benefits to add value to feeder cattle.
NCBA says it will work with the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) to address the Agency’s longstanding policy on geographic origin statements for beef.
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association calls for “accurate meat labels” and noted they have asked FSIS to use certain labeling claims to be used exclusively for cattle “born, raised and slaughtered” in the U.S.
New research highlights the ability of behavior monitoring to predict disease while enhancing health outcomes and making the pen rider’s job easier.
Cattle genetics have changed over the years, and one Kansas cattle feeder wants to make sure finishing practices have kept up.
CattleFax analyst Duane Lenz told the 2019 Angus Convention attendees there could be another year or two of price pressure, but then, he’s optimistic, bullish even, for future beef prices.
Cash fed cattle trade was active on Wednesday, surging $2 to $4 higher the day before Thanksgiving, with demand strong in all major cattle feeding regions.
The cash cattle market continues to be the best broken-record producers ever heard of late as three of the four major packer participated in the live trade last week.
USDA’s cattle on feed report counted 11.83 million head on feed, which is 101.2% of last year and up 4.8% from October as feedlot inventories increase to a seasonal peak.
Cash cattle traded higher again and all four major packers participated in last week’s trade, including Tyson for the Finney County, Kan., plant.
AMS will host a stakeholder meeting in Kansas City, December 12, to review a study on Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) negotiated slaughter cattle market reporting.
Packer market participation wasn’t as robust as it had been in earlier weeks, and packers have slowly added to their inventory ahead of the holidays.
Cattle feeders will honor their own Feb. 4, 2020, in San Antonio, during their 11th annual banquet, held for the second year in conjunction with the nation’s largest annual cattle industry gathering.
Using implants correctly says Robbi Pritchard, longtime South Dakota State University ruminant nutritionist, “you can have all of the performance and all of the final product value you want.”
Cash fed cattle prices traded higher in all regions for the third consecutive week, marking a 16% gain since the lows were set in September.