Latest News From Cattle Market Reports and Analysis

Feedlots inventories should continue to tighten, and cattle slaughter should decline in the coming weeks, although continued drought conditions may slow the rate of decrease if more animals are liquidated.

Beef exports set records for both volume and value in 2022, while pork export value finished with the third-largest year on record.

Scott Brown, livestock economist at the University of Missouri, explains how even in a bullish cattle scenario, there are still downside risks to consider. How much risk can you afford?

CattleFax shares expert market and weather analysis at the company's recent outlook seminar, held as part of the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans.

Keeping the harvest under 650,000 for six weeks has allowed packers to set the tone for the market and keep some cattle feeders desperate to move cattle.

Cattle markets traded modestly lower as slaughter levels recovered from the holiday-shortened schedules. Wholesale beef prices traded lower for the week, but Live Cattle futures ended on an up note.

Diving into 2023, the much-discussed beef cow herd culling comes home to roost, bringing on a supply challenge for the beef industry.

Cattle feeders are finding modest profits on market-ready cattle early in the New Year, but replacement feeder cattle prices are driving projected breakevens to eight-year highs.

Cattle feeders and packers were again locked in a standoff last week negotiating prices for fed cattle. The tug-o-war continues this week with cattle feeders’ leverage growing.

Cash fed cattle traded steady on the week, but further gains in the wholesale beef market gives cattle feeders the incentive to stick to higher asking prices in the short run.

Spiking wholesale beef prices the week before Christmas helped lift packer margins into the black while increasing cattle feeding margins.

Looking ahead, the packers will look to utilize the upcoming holiday weeks to slow the slaughter pace and curb the bids for fed cattle.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a final rule in the Federal Register to secure the contract information needed to populate a Cattle Contracts Library.

Though it’s not quite like knowing the winning lottery numbers before they are drawn, there are some valuable insights to gain from understanding the cattle cycle and what the future might hold.

Cattle producers liquidated their herds with drought hitting cattle country. They also faced poor pasture and winter wheat conditions. So, what does that mean for the fall cattle run and the market outlook?  

Average feed costs for finishing cattle and hogs are 25% to 28% higher than the same week last year, according to Sterling Marketing's weekly calculations.

The average cost of feeding a steer to finish weight was 25% higher for cattle marketed last week and is projected to be 31% higher for cattle placed on feed last week at roughly $600 per head.

Here's this week's update on cattle prices.

Lower grain prices last week helped boost prices for feeder cattle and calves at most auctions across the country. AMS reporters expect grain prices will continue to be a major factor in cattle prices going forward.

Cattle and hog feeding both saw solid average profits for the week ending April 2, boosted by higher average farmgate prices. Cattle were positive for the second week, while positive hog margins entered a third month.

Cash prices for both cattle and hogs advanced last week leaving feeding margins for both species solidly in the black. Hog margins were positive for the eighth consecutive week and cattle climbed out of the red.

Profit margins for cattle and hogs continue trending in opposite directions as feedyard closeouts slipped below breakeven and hog margins saw another boost from higher prices.

Market hogs sold last week earned an average profit margins nearly four times that of fed steers. That’s mainly due to a rally that has added more than $20 per cwt. to lean hog carcass prices over the past month.

Cattle and hog finishing margins were headed in opposite directions last week, with lean hog prices enjoying a three-week rally while cattle prices were stuck in neutral for a second week.

Cattle feeding margins improved $60 per head the week ending Feb. 12 and hog margins reported profits for the second consecutive week as lean hog prices rallied.

USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory report released Friday estimated the total U.S. herd on Jan. 1, 2021, at 93.6 million head, about 200,000 head fewer than in 2020.

Numerous factors are in place that will shape cattle markets for at least the first few months of 2021. The COVID pandemic will continue to limit food service and restaurant demand for beef.

Average feedyard closeouts saw modest profits for cattle last week as cash prices improved. Hog finishing margins declined from near breakeven to a loss of $6 per head.

Flow of cattle through feedlots should begin to show more consistent tightening in 2021. The beef cowherd was at a peak in January 2019 and led to a 2019 calf crop that was down 0.7 percent from the 2018 peak calf crop.

Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.91 million head, 9 percent below 2019. Net placements were 1.85 million head.

Here are forecasts for production, imports, exports and per capita consumption of beef, pork and broiler meat in 2021.

Both mandatory and voluntary plans are offered to encourage market transparency.

Last week’s early winter storm exposed cattle to cold, wet conditions, but also brought much-needed moisture to the nation’s wheat belt reviving prospects for winter grazing.

A large winter storm is advancing across the central U.S. bringing cold temperatures and some much-needed moisture. Feedlots continued to build inventory during September leading to a record inventory for Oct. 1.

Cattle feeders found softer prices and weaker packer demand as last week progressed, driven in part by declines in CME futures prices.

Both CME cattle futures and cash prices were lower for the second consecutive week. USDA's cattle on feed report found a record October 1 inventory as September placements were called 6% higher.

There are many dynamics in cattle slaughter markets in the fourth quarter that will determine total slaughter for the year, but an early analysis suggests a 2.5% decline.

A fall rally in cash fed cattle markets has added $5 to $6 per cwt. over the past three weeks. Feeder cattle remain in moderate demand, but drought conditions across much of the Great Plains is affecting cattle markets.

Packers were fairly aggressive in their drive to increase their inventory. Cash traded mostly on Thursday, but packers took on additional cattle Friday at steady money.

It seems as though marketing has always been kept at an arms-length from production agriculture.  Until recently, raising cattle has been well-defined just as the name says – raising cattle. 

Cattle prices were softer across all regions last week despite cattle futures prices regaining some momentum. Wholesale beef prices also declined after the Labor Day holiday.

Markets will no doubt evolve this fall and producers must continue to evaluate winter grazing potential under dynamic market conditions and profit potential may vary widely.

Cattle prices rallied for the seventh consecutive week, adding $12 per cwt. over that span. Cattle on feed numbers were up 2% Aug. 1, with July placements up 11%.

USDA's release o Friday of Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory report data suggests backlog is decreasing in feedyards and beef cow numbers are tightening across cattle country.

Steers and heifers sold higher at auctions on the Northern Plains, with feeder cattle trading uneven at auctions in the Southeast and South Central regions.

Cattle feeders and pork producers continue to experience significant per head losses as market prices trend lower following slaughter and processing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Slaughter numbers approached year-ago levels for the week as beef packers are operating at near-capacity and wholesale beef prices continue lower.

Negotiated cash fed cattle drifted lower throughout the week with a range reported at $3 to $10 lower. Feeder cattle sold uneven though demand remains moderate to good.

This first full-week following the Memorial Day holiday delivers signals cattle markets may see a second wave of downward pressure, the after-shocks of the COVID-19 earthquake.

Boxed beef cutout values continue to perform like the early days of Bitcoin trading, with Choice advancing $84 per cwt. since last Friday.