Latest News From FARM BUSINESS

Cattle numbers are likely to be even tighter next year and in 2013.

Friday's Cattle on Feed inventory numbers caught analysts off guard, but it may just be a sign of a shrinking cowherd.

Recent sharp drops in corn prices may cause some pain for producers, but end users benefit. This is how the free market should and does work, says Jerry Gulke.

Traders were caught off guard as cattle marketings were above expectations and placements were below expectations in today's report.

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

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.

Make management and marketing decisions that will take advantage of the opportunities.

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

Next week, the cattle and beef markets will be watching the impact Hurricane Irene has on beef demand.

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

The Silencer hydraulic chute is built on the idea that less noise leads to calmer cattle and less chance of injury.

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

Drought brought higher placements, but WASDE expects carcass weights to drop.

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.

But may face downside pressure in the near term as fed cattle supplies are larger than expected.

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

But projected breakevens for live cattle do not appear favorable. 

A Texas rancher shares his perspective on changes in the cattle information available over the decades.

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

Despite record high cattle prices, indications are the cattle herd is still shrinking.

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

Last week's corn price decline helped bring down break-evens for cattle feeders, but feeder prices remain strong.

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.

Call for foodservice entries in the 2011 National Beef Backer Awards.

The cattle market continues to adjust to last week's cattle on feed report's higher placements.

While the decline catches many off guard, a continued rally in corn prices keeps feeder breakevens in the red.

Some advice on how ranchers can manage their cattle to improve final quality grade.

Price volatility in the corn, fed and feeder cattle markets can provide opportunity to manage risk exposure.

Weather in the United States has been making a complicated 2011 cattle market even cloudier, ultimately affecting everyone from producers to consumers.

Price activity was beneficial for those in the feeder cattle market, but for cattle feeders the dilemma of placing cattle below breakeven continues.

Cattle prices have had a remarkable run to the upside with finished steers reaching the low $120s per hundredweight in early April.

Live cattle prices and input costs are starting to take their toll on feeder cattle.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association offers tips to protect your herd and your ranch or farm.

The program features certain cuts of beef as well as the farmers that produce them.

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

From flooding to wildfires, every farm needs a disaster plan to protect assets from natural disasters and other emergencies.

Measure headed to Obama who will sign it

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

Until weakness in the live cattle trade or boxed beef price is apparent, the healthy feeder market should continue.

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

USDA's Cold Storage Report is getting a negative read.

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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.