Latest News From Markets

The summer heat helps move meat, especially beef for grilling.

Last week's fed cattle rally improved cattle feeding margins $100 per head.

There is a strong likelihood that feeder cattle prices will remain strong through the summer marketing period as is seasonally expected.

Drought-stressed corn silage will contain lower levels of grain than normal corn silage.

Much of the uncertainty surrounding the issue of trade has created a level of anxiety within several U.S. industries.

USDA’s June 22 Cattle on Feed report put cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market for June 1 at 11.6 million head, down 5,000 head from May, but up 457,000 head, or 4 percent, over prior-year levels.

Despite increased beef production in 2018, up nearly 4% so far this year, beef demand has been quite strong and has limited beef and cattle price pressure in the first half of the year.

Despite increased beef production in 2018, up nearly 4% so far this year, beef demand has been quite strong and has limited beef and cattle price pressure in the first half of the year.

A $2 per cwt decline in cash cattle prices pushed feedyard losses to near $100 per head.

Re-implanting strategies are an important management tool for improving efficiency of cattle fed up to 200 days.

If high beef demand, and steady to high margins continue throughout the summer, the packer will have incentive to continue large kills every week.

Looking deeper into the summer months, the dog days of summer will hamper cutout prices as will a strong beef supply.

Why does basis matter, and what does it mean for me? Please continue reading.

Looking at the same 8-week period in sales, we can see that packers have done a good job of moving product through forward sales of boxed beef with delivery dates of 21 to 90 days out.

Feedyard closeouts continue flowing red ink while packer margins hover around $300 per head.

Corn prices have been on a sharp downtrend since late May due primarily to a combination of trade uncertainty and a strong start to the growing season.

The June 1 cattle on feed report showed a feedlot inventory of 11.553 million head of cattle in feedlots of more than 1,000 head capacity.

Beef producers need to think globally.

There remains a legion of cattle on feed that will be coming to market in the next few months which will keep fed cattle prices in check.

The June Cattle on Feed reached its highest recorded inventory since the series started in 1996 and continues 18 months of increasing inventories.

Consumers have more opportunities to express their opinion about the food they buy and eat.

The June Cattle on Feed reached its highest recorded inventory since the series started in 1996 and continues 18 months of increasing inventories.

Additional cattle are continuing to come to feedyards, but fortunately there’s been several market factors at play to help offset beef supplies, at least for now, said Craig VanDyke, Top Third Ag Marketing.

A Texas feedlot had nearly 100 cattle stolen and sold by an employee at the yard in a theft scheme that spanned nearly 4 years.

A Texas feedlot had nearly 100 cattle stolen and sold by an employee at the yard in a theft scheme that spanned nearly 4 years.

As expected, supply pressures continue to build in beef markets.

Cattle feeding margins slipped into the red last week with a $4 per cwt. decline in cash prices.

Researchers from the University of Tennessee have found that castrating bull calves can generate an additional $57 per head for a 550 pound animal.

Foreign markets for beef industry products continue to grow, especially in Asia.

Fed heifer slaughter is up about 17 percent over the last six weeks, using the daily slaughter data and estimating the first two weeks of June. 

Beef production is heating up in a big way as the long-awaited fed cattle numbers have shaken loose.

The $4-plus rally in cash fed cattle prices pulled feedyards out of the red, and packer margins remain at historic levels.

Currently in the yards, it feels that packers are still playing the need for inventory, week to week.

Currently in the yards, it feels that packers are still playing the need for inventory, week to week.

Packers have leverage on cattle feeders due to several market ready cattle being available, but cattle feeders being current with marketing and stronger live futures provide them short term wiggle room.

Projected annual profit margins for beef packers and cattle feeders have been updated by Sterling Marketing, Inc.

Take a "pasture to plate" tour of the beef industry in Colorado with the 2018 Young Cattlemen’s Conference.

Beef packers are enjoying historic profit levels with robust consumer demand and strong beef cutout values.

Last week’s cattle trade was once again a disappointment to cattle feeders.

In three weeks, live cattle prices declined $14 to $15 per hundredweight which goes without mentioning that prices this week are $26 per hundredweight lower than the same week one year ago.

Starting out the month of May, we dove headlong into the seasonal market with a widening Choice/Select price spread.

Starting out the month of May, we dove headlong into the seasonal market with a widening Choice/Select price spread.

Trade was spotty at best last week due to lack of total numbers needed by packers for the shorter holiday week.

U.S. cattle futures rose on Friday, shrugging off earlier declines on technical buying and support from government data showing fewer cattle placed in feedlots during April, traders and analysts said.

The number of cattle on feed remains elevated compared to last year, but the number of cattle placed in feedlots during April has slowed tremendously.

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report, released at 11:00 a.m. CST May 25, fell mostly in line with trade expectations.

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report, released at 11:00 a.m. CST May 25, fell mostly in line with trade expectations.

A record amount of beef is on the way to consumers ahead of the start of summer grilling season.

U.S. beef packers including Tyson Foods and Cargill are racking up historically high margins, thanks to slumping cattle prices amid a supply glut and as Americans turn to beef for their backyard summer barbecues.

Memorial Day is soon to pass and the impact of the holiday on cattle and beef markets, if not already, is soon to be complete.