Latest News From Markets

This is the third highest September 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Weaker grain and stronger fed prices mean some classes of cattle show profit potential that can be locked in now.

Feedlots struggle to generate higher cash trade, which was a disappointment given tighter show lists.

To build on this week's strength, traders will need to be convinced the cash market is headed higher.

The old rule of thumb that feeder prices trade inversely to corn price does not necessarily hold true in today’s markets.

Packers will have larger show lists next week, which doesn't bode well for near term cash improvement.

Global macroeconomic factors weigh heavily on cattle feeders’ bullishness, while the short cattle supply is not forgotten by bears.

Drought forcing cattle to market could mean a lighter fall run at higher prices later this year.

Are you getting enough information from your feedyard to help improve the herd?

This is the third highest August 1 inventory since the series began in 1996.

Beef producers can compete at the meat case by changing breeding, management and marketing.

Cattle feeding margins continue to deteriorate in the near term.

The quantity of beef available to consumers has declined in recent years, unfortunately that trend is going to continue.

The inventory and placements were 4 percent above July 1, 2010.

But projected breakevens for live cattle do not appear favorable. 

Hedging in a break-even remains elusive, so cattle feeders are using strategies to leave upside potential open. 

While corn prices drop, feeder futures prices move higher potentially offsetting any benefit from lower corn prices.

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.

Wheat gone bad? Use it as alternative animal feed.

Meanwhile placements in feedlots during May totaled 1.81 million, 11 percent below 2010.

Experts offer tips to help you choose a feedyard to place cattle.

The cattle feeder's cost of gain will increase approximately $0.04/lb from corn basis alone.

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.

Placements into feedyards were also 3 percent above 2010.

But drought conditions in some regions are dampening demand for stocker weight cattle.

Live cattle prices are not keeping pace with input costs and until that changes, the opportunities to lock in profits become less.

Sorting adds value to cattle feeders before selling to packers.

No improvement for breakevens on cattle entering the feedyard last week.

Here are four of the top ways feeders can strike a balance between grade and gain, implant and marbling levels.

Placements were down 1% while marketings were up 4%.

High corn and ration prices are forcing cattle feeders to be extremely selective in their purchases.

High priced corn and high priced feeder cattle are making positive break-evens impossible for feeders.

Breakeven projections show cattle feeders are only able to lock in negative margins right now.

Improving weather conditions allowed sizable feeder cattle movement to resume.

High cattle prices are good, unless you’re buying them to feed.

The margin is still negative for cattle being placed on feed.

Cattle feeders are beginning to show less appetite for purchasing feeder cattle at current prices.

Accessibility to corn co-products provide Midwest cattle feeders opportunities but there are still challenges.

There are more myths about distillers’ grains and gluten feed than I can list. One of the more interesting is that distillers’ grains will cause foot rot and bloat, when in fact distillers’ grains, with their dense mineral content, improve bone and hoof hardness and will reduce the chance of bloat if fed correctly.

But hedging breakevens in fat cattle getting difficult given the current price of feeders and grain.

Team to head to China in early January

Eastern Livestock, LLC., one of the oldest and the biggest cattle order buyers in the U.S., has some $81 million in bad checks.

Additional sessions on tap for December

USDA’s monthly Cattle on Feed report showed some surprises today. Three market experts decipher the numbers and provide advice.

Match the smallest cowherd on record with an upswing in beef demand, and the stage is set for higher cattle prices across the board.

The old adage “make hay while the sun shines” definitely applies this year.