Latest News From Markets

The cash cattle market slowed to steady last week at $124 in most trading areas with limited numbers moving.

The bright spot is that the price of a 900 pound steer is the same as the price of an 800 pound steer which provides incentive to keep feeding cattle and growing them larger.

Fed cattle trade was at a standoff Friday while feeder cattle traded at lower prices in auctions across the nation.

While we can’t change the weather, we can learn by it.

Several reports were not available, including the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates, Quarterly Grain Stocks, Winter Wheat and Canola Seedings and weekly export sales.

For the first time since December, 2017, cattle feeding margins have exceeded packer margins in the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

A major winter storm this past week extended in a belt across the middle of the country from Denver east to the mid-Atlantic coast.

Last week brought another dollar in the cash trade, but came with very limited participation by both producers and packers.

The feeder and fed cattle spread is certainly the dichotomy present in today’s market.

After higher prices to start the new year, feeder cattle sold uneven at auction this week amid heavy supplies.

After higher prices to start the new year, feeder cattle sold uneven at auction this week amid heavy supplies.

The profit margin spread between packers and feedyards has shifted more than $320 per head since last June.

Looking forward, some may question whether feedyards will continue to take cattle to the same days on feed for their grid or formula-bound pens in 2019 as they did a year earlier if the lower Prime value continues.

Evolving market dynamics make it easy to underestimate how the impacts and costs of trade issues will continue to grow in 2019.

February through August live cattle futures show strong upward trends with resistance planes repeatedly broken and the trend holding when tested. 

Cash fed cattle traded at steady money last week, a disappointment to many feeders who anticipated higher bids.

The calf and feeder cattle markets have been slow the past two weeks due to Christmas and the New Year holiday.

Online stores have seen a major increase in demand for top-of-the-line beef such as wagyu.

This year will likely bring a mostly flat year for national herd growth which will position the industry at a pivotal point for supplies and prices moving forward.

Given the variability and seasonal trends of cattle prices throughout the year, it is necessary to supply an expected annual average cattle price based on given heifer, steer and slaughter cow weights.

With cattle numbers still growing, cattle feeders have continued to move larger supplies of cattle through feedlots in a very timely manner.

Continued strong demand for Texas barbecue will help fuel the need for steady supplies of beef in 2019, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist.

As we wrap up 2018, it’s worth a moment to pause and consider the amazing day to day performance and accomplishments of the U.S. cattle and beef industry.

Cattle feeding and packer profit margins were mostly steady the week ending December 21, with cash prices for fed cattle slightly higher.

Cattle feeding and packer profit margins were mostly steady the week ending December 21, with cash prices for fed cattle slightly higher.

A third generation ranch in Japan that specializes in Wagyu genetics is partnering with a California-based lab-grown meat startup.

A third generation ranch in Japan that specializes in Wagyu genetics is partnering with a California-based lab-grown meat startup.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation says an updated study quantifies the value red meat exports deliver to U.S. corn producers.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation says an updated study quantifies the value red meat exports deliver to U.S. corn producers.

In November, U.S. feedlots set a record for 1.87 million head marketed, the highest Dec. 1 total since the series began recording in 1996.

In November, U.S. feedlots set a record for 1.87 million head marketed, the highest Dec. 1 total since the series began recording in 1996.

In November, U.S. feedlots set a record for 1.87 million head marketed, the highest Dec. 1 total since the series began recording in 1996.

November Choice retail beef prices were $5.911/lb., up from $5.840/lb. in October and 1.8 percent above the November 2017 price of $5807/lb.

Is saving the jungle also better for business?

Anecdotal evidence and supply observations suggest packers have recently had a negotiating advantage over feedlots. Packer margins continue to be wide and the supply of cattle on feed continues to be high.

Is saving the jungle also better for business?

Cattle feeding and packer profit margins both declined last week as cash cattle prices were modestly lower.

Cattle feeding and packer profit margins both declined last week as cash cattle prices were modestly lower.

After a software error caused beef carcasses to be inaccurately reported for grades and weights, JBS is a paying a fine and reimbursing producers who were impacted.

After a software error caused beef carcasses to be inaccurately reported for grades and weights, JBS is a paying a fine and reimbursing producers who were impacted.

The best opportunity feeders have to keep the cash market from slipping away is limit their offerings over the next couple of weeks.

The Choice-Select spread is narrowing quickly now that the holiday purchasing is complete.

In a partnership to source beef focusing on standards for animal welfare, food safety, antibiotic use and environmental sustainability, Wendy’s Co. has announced it will partner with Progressive Beef .

Steers and heifers sold at auction across the nation at steady to $5 per cwt. higher.

McDonald’s has announced plans to partner with its global beef suppliers to reduce the use of medically important antibiotics by the end of 2020.

In a partnership to source beef focusing on standards for animal welfare, food safety, antibiotic use and environmental sustainability, Wendy’s Co. has announced it will partner with Progressive Beef .

McDonald’s has announced plans to partner with its global beef suppliers to reduce the use of medically important antibiotics by the end of 2020.

Following the trend seen in fed cattle during the past few months, a market analyst expects limited volatility during the 1st quarter of 2019.

The number of people who have become ill from eating Salmonella contaminated beef has gone up by 87 cases after the recall was increased to 12 million lb.

Following the trend seen in fed cattle during the past few months, a market analyst expects limited volatility during the 1st quarter of 2019.