Markets
Retaining ownership gives cow-calf producers the chance to learn more about their cattle and receive premiums.
Research beef cattle studies focus on residual-feed intake and evaluate feed efficiency
The Environmental Protection Agency decides to retain the current coarse particulate matter (dust) standard.
Some feeders holding out for higher prices, which could make feedyard showlists longer next week.
Friday’s Cattle on Feed inventory numbers caught analysts off guard, but it may just be a sign of a shrinking cowherd.
While last week’s drop in corn price provided an opportunity to lock in feed needs, that volatility makes planning difficult.
Feedlots struggle to generate higher cash trade, which was a disappointment given tighter show lists.
The old rule of thumb that feeder prices trade inversely to corn price does not necessarily hold true in today’s markets.
This is the third highest September 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.
Traders were caught off guard as cattle marketings were above expectations and placements were below expectations in today’s report.
Weaker grain and stronger fed prices mean some classes of cattle show profit potential that can be locked in now.
But drought conditions in some regions are dampening demand for stocker weight cattle.
Packers will have larger show lists next week, which doesn’t bode well for near term cash improvement.
To build on this week’s strength, traders will need to be convinced the cash market is headed higher.
Are you getting enough information from your feedyard to help improve the herd?
The quantity of beef available to consumers has declined in recent years, unfortunately that trend is going to continue.
Beef producers can compete at the meat case by changing breeding, management and marketing.
A commercial rancher has switched from a pounds-only philosophy to one that includes quality.
Last week’s corn price decline helped bring down break-evens for cattle feeders, but feeder prices remain strong.
Meanwhile placements in feedlots during May totaled 1.81 million, 11 percent below 2010.
While the decline catches many off guard, a continued rally in corn prices keeps feeder breakevens in the red.
Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.80 million, 10 percent above 2010.
Price activity was beneficial for those in the feeder cattle market, but for cattle feeders the dilemma of placing cattle below breakeven continues.
The “Meat MythCrushers” campaign is an effort to crush some of the more popular myths associated today with meat and poultry.
Sorting adds value to cattle feeders before selling to packers.
Live cattle prices are not keeping pace with input costs and until that changes, the opportunities to lock in profits become less.