Latest News From Beef Production

The first dual-active endectocide for the U.S. has been approved for use, starting August 1, in beef cattle 2 months of age and older and in replacement dairy heifers less than 20 months of age.

For 2024, USDA projects that food price inflation will be lower than that seen in 2023 and significantly lower than the rise seen in 2022.

In the second quarter of 2023, national average carcass quality grades held up especially well considering that carcass weights were 15 to 20 lb. lighter than a year ago in the first quarter.

Knowledge of water requirements of cattle is necessary when designing water supply systems where the water supply may be limited or the delivery system restricts access in times of heavy use.

Jack Keating noticed a need for an easier way to build cross-fences. This problem led Jack to start Corral Technologies, a virtual fencing company that changes the way producers manage rotational grazing strategies.

The spread between cattle feeding margins and beef packer margins has now reached $500 per head as packing losses increase. Pork producer margins are the highest of the year.

Choosing fly control products to fit your operation is important, but proper facilities management and product rotation and application are even more crucial for effectively controlling fly populations.

The discovery of the longhorned tick, already responsible the loss of millions of dollars in revenue to livestock producers worldwide, indicates a potential looming problem for cattle health in mid-Missouri.

Cattle feeders continued to leverage tight supplies of market-ready cattle to push markets higher until packers were forced to be more aggressive.

The sharp increase in feeder cattle prices this year represents a growing market incentive for the beef cattle industry to transition from liquidation to expansion, but it does not appear the industry is responding yet.

Packers and cattle feeders spent the week in a standoff ahead of USDA's dual July reports that were bullish as expected, suggesting a 3% decline in cattle inventories and a 2% decline in cattle on feed inventories.

“Most farms don’t have the time, capabilities, perspectives, resources or desire to do all the tasks it takes to run an operation," says Steve Kluemper, AgriStrategies LLC founder. "A lot of growers hire to fill gaps."

Beef cows and total mid-year inventory down 3%. Cattle on Feed July 1 totaled 11.2 million head, down 2% from July 2022.

Missouri researcher Jared Decker used the commercial genomic prediction tool Zoetis GeneMax Advantage to investigate the ability of the test to predict the performance and profitability of a group of Angus calves.

There’s a $400 spread between cattle feeding margins and packer margins – now in the cowboy’s favor. Cattle harvest is lower as packers reduce hours, a signal their margins are in the red.

Using data and precision technology is the new norm in many segments of the agriculture industry. In the beef industry, Neogen's Igenity Feeder DNA test is paving the way to a new era in cattle feeding.

Creep grazing has potential to be a cost-effective way to produce additional calf gains using forage rather than the traditional grain-based creep diets.

July's cattle inventory report will show continued declines to the beef cow herd. While beef cow slaughter is down thus far, the current pace suggests a herd culling rate over 12 percent for the year. 

Generally, a good week for agriculture with cattle steady to stronger despite a significant rally in the corn market. Packers try to hide their hand, but without inventory they must pay up to keep plants running.

Still unclear about the recent changes to over-the-counter antibiotics or beef promoting implants? Dan Thompson, DVM, host of Doc Talk TV, shares details about the new livestock antibiotic and implant regulations.

Last week produced the lowest feed costs and lowest break evens for pigs placed in the finish barns since December 2021. Cattle feeders also saw declining feeding costs.

We know that the cattle market runs in cycle. Lee Schulz shares tips for how beef cattle producers can understand cattle cycles and how to make decisions accordingly.

Meanwhile, service prices and the core index (which excludes food and energy) remain high, with the core CPI descending to 4.8%.

This slump, deeper than May's 7.5% drop, represents the largest decline since February 2020.

USDA's APHIS is awarding more than $3.2 million to create antimicrobial resistance dashboards to improve access to information on antimicrobial resistance in domesticated animals.

Summertime in July means there are often two pasture requirements: shade and reliable water. There is plenty of debate whether shade is required or not in arid parts of the country as well as beyond the pasture setting.

Pinkeye is a painful eye disease that affects cattle worldwide. Here’s a look at the causes, signs, treatment, control and prevention of pinkeye, provided by K-State’s Beef Cattle Institute.

Although limitations exist, the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test to assess the efficacy of parasite control programs is the only practical method of determining the presence of resistance in cattle nematodes.

Beef imports will continue to be supported by higher domestic beef prices and the reduction in U.S. processing beef supplies due to reduced cow slaughter.

Packers searching for cattle last week hinted at their looming predicament – showlists too small to utilize current industry capacity.

If there was an industry-wide BOLO system (be on the lookout), packers would have used it this week as they seek to build an inventory of market-ready cattle to fill their post-July 4th needs.

If a seasonal price decline develops as anticipated, this year’s starting point for cattle feeders is the best in a decade. Pork producers notch their second week of modest profits.

Water quantity and quality is critical to cattle health and performance.  Hot weather and drought conditions can impact both water quality and quantity for cattle.  

The use of shades in feedlots has made a big difference in the effects of heat on fat cattle, but a few other strategies can help keep cattle cool, enabling cattle to keep gaining, even in the dog days of summer.

Prices are higher as tighter numbers and beef supplies push markets toward record levels. The biggest question now is the extent herd rebuilding begins with increased heifer retention and reductions in cow slaughter.

Attractive wholesale beef prices have encouraged packers to give up some inventory with aggressive slaughter numbers. Packers may need to get creative in the weeks ahead as numbers decline.

Feeder cattle got a boost from declining corn prices and wholesale beef prices moved lower ahead of next week's holiday-shortened schedule.

As the balers roll through the fields and hay meadows, now is the time for proper maintenance and regularly inspected equipment.

Compared to other animals, cattle can’t dissipate their heat load very effectively. Cattle do not sweat effectively and rely on respiration to cool themselves.

Oklahoma State investigated using distiller’s grain cubes in a supplementation program for growing steers with mineral supplements containing ionophores offered free-choice in a separate complete mineral mix.

Understanding the signs of heat stress, effective strategies to combat it, and maintaining optimal conditions to keep cattle cool are critical to beating the heat.

Sweet clover has many desirable characteristics and forms a deep soil-penetrating taproot that aids in water infiltration and aeration. Sweet clover also tolerates alkaline soils and benefits wildlife.

Satellite technology and remote monitoring systems keep the water flowing on the Bar T Bar Ranch, Arizona, with the ability to quickly change water flow, start pumps, or turn off water — directly from a mobile phone.

Areas in the upper Midwest, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic are being impacted. The American Veterinary Medical Association says to monitor animals as well as people and take precautions to keep everyone safe.

Cash fed steer prices reached record highs two weeks ago, and the trajectory – fueled by strong demand and restricted head counts – was predestined to hit the seasonal ceiling.

The Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor is a new survey of nearly 50 economists. Most ag economists agree the next 12 months could produce more financial pressure for agriculture, but their views vary depending on commodity.

Wholesale beef prices continue to support packer margins even as negotiated cash cattle trade well-above the five-year average. Pork producers enjoy a market rally that has lifted margins out of the red.

Veterinarians as Kansas State University's Beef Cattle Institute discuss tips for using and storing animal health products for optimum performance.

Purdue experts provide 18 producer tools to help their cows' production during drought.

Negotiated cattle traded lower for the second consecutive week and the Cattle on Feed report surprised with a placement total significantly higher than expected.