Beef Production
The month of March will continue to bring more cooler cleanings on the packer’s part. This will continue to keep the number of cattle needed by the packer to minimum.
Calves need to have a sound, balanced nutritional program and be free from internal parasites in order to have an immune system fit to withstand the marketing and transportation channels of our beef production system.
Angus Genetics Program Director explains how ultrasound and genomic data will increase accuracy of expected progeny differences.
The tools for selecting your next herd bull have expanded significantly over the past several years. The following defines how genetic values are determined with examples of each and how to use them.
Higher grain prices raise the question of how cattle should be finished. A recent grass vs. grain discussion included the performance and economic perspectives but added an environmental evaluation.
The ongoing drought in south Texas has lowered the water level at the Rio Grande River making it easier for wildlife carrying cattle fever ticks to enter the U.S.
Beef demand has been strong up to this point but clearly there are more concerns about demand and input prices going forward. There is little choice but to stay tuned and try to remain as flexible as possible.
Cash fed cattle prices came under pressure last week as packer needs were lighter than in recent weeks. Wholesale beef prices have declined resulting in lower margins for processors.
Wheat and corn prices continued to find fuel this week from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but cattle markets were in retreat. The Russia/Ukraine conflict will continue to play a role in markets moving forward.
Drought covering the continental U.S. grew by 2 points this week, now covering nearly 60% of the country. As the drought grips the Wheat Belt and key areas for cattle production, it’s creating concern for 2022.
Nobody alive today has seen weather this dry in Northern California during January and February, normally the two wettest months of the year. That’s a dramatic turnaround from record snowfall in December.
With the low amount of moisture that ranchers have received over the winter, the experts at Kansas State University’s Beef Cattle Institute said now is the time to think about management strategies for a drought.
Quality grades set record highs for combined Choice and Prime carcasses during the first five weeks of 2022, slightly higher than last year. Prime grades are down marginally from year-ago at 10% vs. 10.8% last year.
Even in regions showing gains in beef cow inventories, price increases have been slow to develop this year. Overall, ranchers continue culling the breeding herd at a significant rate through the first quarter of 2022.
Friday’s Cattle on Feed was not expected to create any additional near-term market volatility. Yet, a closer analysis finds heavy front-end numbers along with signals the feeder cattle supply is tightening.
With uncertainty taking over the grain market, it’s a double whammy for livestock producers who are facing higher feed costs, as inflationary pressures may create more headwinds on the demand side in 2022.
First it was just drought, now we have war in eastern Europe. On Feb. 24 Feeder Cattle futures were down over $4, Live Cattle were down over $2. The futures market jitters have given a lot of us more to worry about.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict produced another set-back for fed cattle last week. The industry is hoping this week will bring less volatility in the markets.
With revenues and costs rising, cattle producers must adjust cattle production and marketing to maximize profits.
Cash cattle saw average prices move slightly higher for the week while CME futures tumbled lower. USDA’s reported cattle on feed February 1 inventory was the highest for that month in the series going back to 1996.
Bos indicus cattle lag in their reproductive efficiency, something researchers at Texas A&M are trying to help fix with a recent medical breakthrough.
The strong volumes of fed slaughter suggest the large number of long-fed cattle are being worked through. Tightening supplies are being revealed and demand in the beef market is nothing short of incredible.
Help make your calving season as successful as possible by ensuring adequate colostrum, preventing cold stress and having a calving kit at the ready.
If drought is not a limitation in 2022, will cattle producers continue herd liquidation? The answer will be determined by what cattle producers want to do and can do relative to cow culling and heifer retention.
Cattle feeders saw active participation from all packers last week which helped push prices higher for a fourth consecutive week. Prices in the North remain at a premium.
Cash fed cattle prices traded higher for a fourth-consecutive week, reaching the highest average price since August of 2015.
Cattle prices are improving in all regions as cattle numbers have declined. Expansion and continuation of the current drought could cut cattle numbers even further and produce higher cattle prices.
Cattle price and profitability trends for producers are pointed in the right direction, even as challenges and uncertainty persist with continued disruptions from the pandemic.
Hardware disease can be difficult to conclusively diagnose and clinical signs will vary based on where the hardware has penetrated. The best prevention of hardware disease is good management.
The slaughter pace last week was the best we’ve seen in 2022, with an estimated Federally Inspected total of 659K. Given the previous week’s disappointing pace due to weather, these are very promising totals.