Latest News From Markets

The Choice boxed beef cutout price has increased more than $10 in two weeks. The price surge the back half of October is being driven by middle meats.

Stuck in neutral for six weeks, cash fed cattle prices broke through the ice with a solid rally. Calf prices were uneven.

Stuck in neutral for six weeks, cash fed cattle prices broke through the ice with a solid rally. Calf prices were uneven.

The fed cattle market has traded in a tight range at about $111 per cwt for the past six weeks, which results in cattle feeders losing an average of $50 to $60 per head.

The beef industry, similar to other industries, is constantly attempting to be more efficient and create more value in the product produced.

The 12th largest beef packer in the country is building a new $35 million distribution center.

The 12th largest beef packer in the country is building a new $35 million distribution center.

The latest monthly trade data has been tabulated – for August – and U.S. beef trade continued its impressive performance with monthly exports up 9 percent and year-to-date export totals up 14.2% year over year.

State cattlemen’s groups and national organizations representing beef producers shared their concerns with lab-grown meat labeling and safety to two government agencies.

Cash cattle prices averaged $1 per cwt lower last week, yet feedyard margins improved $24 per head.

Marketings and placements were below the prior year while the end of the month inventory was larger. 

With Mega Millions at a record-high of $1.6 billion there are loads of possibilities for things that can be bought in agriculture.

Despite calf demand support, freshly weaned steer and heifer values have the potential to fall below $750 and $650 per head respectively which would equate to prices declining $5 more per hundredweight.

Steady money dominated the market for the sixth consecutive week.  However, winds of change are blowing and steady $111 could be coming to an end. 

For the fifth straight month a record for Cattle on Feed was eclipsed after an increase of 5.2% since Oct. 1, 2017.

For the fifth straight month a record for Cattle on Feed was eclipsed after an increase of 5.2% since Oct. 1, 2017.

In this week's Drovers TV Report there is a case of brucellosis in Wyoming; proposed regulation changes for livestock haulers; and a Texas beef packer is facing financial troubles. 

U.S. beef trade continued the impressive performance of recent months in the latest monthly trade data for August.

It appears that herd expansion has slowed down as beef production forecasts have been lowered by analysts at USDA.

It appears that herd expansion has slowed down as beef production forecasts have been lowered by analysts at USDA.

The breakaway amount of Prime beef carcasses is beginning to swamp demand.

Despite signals the fed cattle market could move higher, trade prices were steady for the fifth consecutive week.

Seasonality is often discussed in terms of a consistent pattern in cash prices. In the northern plains the cash or spot price for fed cattle has an April or May peak with a September or October low.

The Corpus Christi, Tex., beef plant that kills 270,000 cattle annually from 30 Texas feedlots is now under the control of a former bankruptcy judge.

Feedyard margins improved modestly last week - though still in the red - the result of lower feeder cattle prices calculated against closeouts.

Finished cattle continued trading steady for the fifth consecutive week. Early in this trend, one might say this was beneficial for cattle feeders as they were able to hold packers at bay and keep prices from falling.

Muddy pen conditions in all major feeding regions have left many fed cattle owners willing sellers at steady money.

Having the right team is critical to the success of the cattle operation.

Does feeding whole soybeans to growing or finishing cattle make economic sense?

Does feeding whole soybeans to growing or finishing cattle make economic sense?

Supply and demand flows for most agricultural markets are commonly summarized in the form of supply and utilization tables, often called the balance sheet.

JBS S.A. announced expansion plans in Brazil to meet surging export demand from China.

Cattle feeding losses averaged $83 per head last week, while packers recorded $168 per head profits, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

JBS S.A. announced expansion plans in Brazil to meet surging export demand from China.

Cattle feeding losses averaged $83 per head last week, while packers recorded $168 per head profits, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Contrary to the current feeder cattle market, the slaughter cow and bull market are seasonally faltering.

Demand remains strong for feeder cattle with auction prices steady to $2 higher.

Demand remains strong for feeder cattle with auction prices steady to $2 higher.

Hedging opportunities for cattle marketed into the beginning of next year are becoming more attractive.

Hedging opportunities for cattle marketed into the beginning of next year are becoming more attractive.

McDonald’s completed the rollout of its fresh beef Quarter Pounders this year to rave reviews from food critics who called it “juicier with more depth of flavor.”

For the 12th consecutive year CAB sales tonnage set another record. The company had set a goal of 1 billion pounds in annual sales by 2020, but that was reached ahead of schedule two years ago.

McDonald’s completed the rollout of its fresh beef Quarter Pounders this year to rave reviews from food critics who called it “juicier with more depth of flavor.”

Feedyard closeouts were $66 per head short of covering all costs last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Nearly two dozen new businesses argue they have claim to join in the suit that alleges Kane Beef owes millions to comply with the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Feedyard closeouts were $66 per head short of covering all costs last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Nearly two dozen new businesses argue they have claim to join in the suit that alleges Kane Beef owes millions to comply with the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Albertsons/Safeway operates more than 2,300 U.S. grocery stores, and its Hometown Butcher program provides guidance to customers for selecting and cooking beef.

Albertsons/Safeway operates more than 2,300 U.S. grocery stores, and its Hometown Butcher program provides guidance to customers for selecting and cooking beef.

Beef production has continued to run above a year ago throughout 2018.