Beef Production
USDA’s mid-year inventory is the smallest since 2015 with beef cow herd down 2.4%. Cattle on feed inventories unchanged from last year at 13.4 million.
Markets understand the tight supply picture that is being set up and have responded accordingly. Feeder Cattle futures have moved into the mid-$180s, which creates pricing opportunities for summer stocker operations.
Worries about drought and how to make it through the winter with limited or no stored forage has monopolized our thoughts, energy, and time. There are critical steps that need to be made in order for us to make it.
The drought in the West is producing many firsts, as farmers and ranchers grapple with dire decisions including pulling their cattle off federal lands early. Now many worry they won’t source enough feed for winter.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey is concerned about the impact this week’s high heat could have on corn production as the majority of the crop was planted late. The August forecasts are also concerning for soybeans.
When buying a 4-H steer or other beef animal from a local producer, how much beef can you expect after processing? Check out these tips to calculate how much meat one beef animal will return.
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to livestock, wildlife and people.
Ranchers face the reality of a depleted forage base. One potential solution is early weaning calves which has the primary benefit of improving cow condition for rebreeding, especially when forage is limited.
The invasive tick can transmit the Theileria orientalis parasite, which attacks blood cells. The Ikeda genotype of this organism can be fatal to cattle.
Pasture recovery will require more than a few rain showers due to the dry soil profiles and continued high temperatures. Management strategies must focus on pasture recovery after drought.
There was never enough need by any packer to push the market but could be a sign they may be getting shorter on committed cattle. Regional packers seem to have cooled down in the North.
Lower cattle inventories combined with a cattle on feed inventory about equal to last year, is expected to lead to a roughly three percent decrease year over year in estimated feeder supplies outside of feedlots.
Feedyard sales continue to slide lower though marketings are seen as current. Drought is forcing ranchers to trim their herds but cull cow prices are holding firm.
Flies can be more than an annoyance – they can even be dangerous, whether impacting a ride with your horse in a single, painful bite, or transmitting diseases to horses and cattle.
Triple digit heat blankets the Southwest this week, and forecasters expect the ridge of high pressure to park over the western Corn Belt next week. AccuWeather projects U.S. corn production could be severely impacted.
According to the USDA, 2020 farming activities in the U.S. made up 11.2 percent, or 670 of 5,981 million metrics tons, of the U.S.’s total carbon contribution.
Current data on beef cow slaughter, combined with historical price performance of cattle markets after reaching an inventory low point, provides some insight for cattle price trends for the second half of 2022 and 2023.
Reviewing cattle placement in feedlots this year suggests that fewer fed cattle supplies expected in the fourth quarter along with much higher costs of gain will hold carcass weights below a year ago.
AHA webinar to provide details about ongoing research with Colorado State University to characterize the relationship between genetics associated with efficiency and those associated with cattle’s carbon footprint.
Strategically supplementing yearlings with dry distillers grains in the second half of the summer as the grass quality declines will increase average daily gain (ADG), but will it increase returns?
Providing access to water can be challenging especially for operations enduring drought conditions. Water related toxicities and fatalities may be seen with greater frequency under hot and dry time periods.
Growth promoting technologies for cattle provide even more impact on net returns when costs are high.
Oklahoma State University meat scientist Gretchen Mafi has studied the scientific differences between beef that comes from animals finished on a grain diet versus those animals finished on grass.
Performance of stocker calves on native range declines from highs of around 2 to 3 pounds per day during the spring and early summer to less than one pound per day through the late summer.
Solar energy offers numerous benefits for agricultural irrigation, including energy savings, efficiency, reduced environmental impact and potential tax savings through incentive programs.
Packers regained much of their leverage last week and prices inched lower. Feeders will struggle to hold prices at a similar level this week.
Fed cattle prices weakened slightly following the long holiday weekend, but prices for feeder cattle and calves continue a contra-seasonal advance. Beef demand remains at a high level.
Haying ditches has unique safety concerns any year due to the highly variable sloped surfaces of ditches. Unsafe conditions can create wear and tear on equipment, damage equipment or cause injuries or even death.
Profit is a pillar of ranch sustainability and superior genetics is the foundation.
Exactly how continuing drought, reduced forage production and high feed prices will impact cattle and beef markets in the coming months remains uncertain.