Markets
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.
Here are four of the top ways feeders can strike a balance between grade and gain, implant and marbling levels.
No improvement for breakevens on cattle entering the feedyard last week.
High corn and ration prices are forcing cattle feeders to be extremely selective in their purchases.
Beef herd owners can cut winter feed costs this winter by not feeding unproductive cows.
Breakeven projections show cattle feeders are only able to lock in negative margins right now.
High cattle prices are good, unless you’re buying them to feed.