Latest News From Fed Cattle

Cattle feeders held out for higher money last week and the result was the highest cash prices in seven years. The week’s harvest of 673,000 head was the third largest of the year.

USDA reported the first year-over-year decrease in feedlot inventories since December 2021, but the decline came from steer numbers as heifers on feed were up 1.4%.

Cash cattle trade was called active with packers seeking to add inventory. Retailer buying was also active as they anticipate a seasonal slowdown in supplies.

Beef packers would like to own more cattle but they’re afraid showing their hand will only raise asking prices. Moderate trade occurred in all regions at slightly higher money.

Cattle feeders have slowly gained market leverage over the past few weeks as cattle numbers tighten. Packers grudgingly bid higher money for cattle on the High Plains and the Corn Belt this week.

August beef exports were slightly above last year’s large volume and topped $1 billion in value for the seventh time in eight months this year.

Following beef quality grade trends may not be as exciting as college football, but for beef marketers quality grade is the game and this season is nothing short of dynamic.

Market leverage has shifted dramatically toward ranchers and cattle feeders over the past two months. The combination of rising cattle prices and declining wholesale beef prices has eroded historic packer margins.

Amidst all the recent concerns about the economy, inflation and consumer sentiment, beef demand and pricing power has remained incredibly resilient.

Active trading in the North and the South provided steady prices while CME futures and wholesale beef prices moved lower for the week.

Even a 10% reduction in U.S. beef exports and imports would cause a significant disruption to prices and quantities of both feeder cattle and fed cattle, according to a new economic analysis.

Proposed new beef processors face multiple challenges in launching their new ventures, but Sustainable Beef, LLC and Producer Owned Beef believe their new models make them attractive to both cowboys and retailers.

Pennchlor® and Rumensin® approved for use together giving beef producers more options to improve the sustainability and efficiency of their business.

The September 2022 Cattle on Feed report pegged inventory up 0.5 percent from August, indicating that August was the low point for this year.

Cash cattle sold higher in active trading ahead of the September Cattle on Feed report which saw slightly higher inventories but within the range of trade expectations.

The Justice Department says it has filed a memo in federal court with its recommended sentence for Washington rancher and cattle feeder Cody Easterday who pleaded guilty in a $244 million "ghost cattle" scheme.

Late fall holiday demand heats up the cattle market, and that’s when high-quality carcasses get extra bragging rights. Demand alone doesn’t spur prices higher, there must be a degree of supply constraint.

The combination of tightening supplies and packers seeking higher-grading inventory helped push cash prices a little higher last week.

Cattle prices moved moderately higher in both the North and the South last week as the declining supply of market-ready cattle gradually shifting leverage toward feedyards.

America's dairy industry has been robust the last several decades. Now, larger average dairies are producing more beef-dairy crossbred calves that are much higher quality for producing beef.

Once operational in late 2024, American Foods Group's new beef facility in Warren County, Missouri, will process 2,400 head of cattle per day.

A lot has changed since the last drought-induced beef cow liquidation a decade ago. Recognizing those changes is important going into and coming out of the cycle lows.

While all packers were in the market for cattle last week, none were aggressive enough to push the cash market any higher than steady.

Cash fed cattle traded flat with most activity on Thursday ahead of Friday's CME futures rally. Expectations of tighter cattle supplies this fall supports bullish ideas for prices.

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.

Even though prices have been exceptional for calves and feeder cattle, feedlot breakeven projections are rapidly moving higher, discouraging ranchers to consider retaining ownership.

Buying for a holiday-shortened week, packers were not aggressive and prices suffered. This week should produce more robust trading.

Cattle in all categories traded mostly lower ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Packers head into next week with smaller inventories and cattle owners hope that encourages more aggressive bidding.

Closer evaluation of factors driving today's cattle markets do not suggest a 'broken market,' but rather strengthening prices which are the result of increasing consumer beef demand - both domestic and international.

Marbling has more influence on tenderness, juiciness and flavor of cooked beef than the other types of fat.  As a result, marbling and Beef Quality Grades are typically the biggest driver of beef carcass value. 

Sustainable Beef LLC received a giant boost in its efforts to bring a new, 1,500 head per day beef processing facility online with a commitment from Walmart.

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.

Investment in better genetics, management, research, and promotion have all proven to make a difference towards bolstering demand.  Consumers have more awareness of, and access to, high-quality beef products than ever.

Cash cattle trade was called moderate in all regions but estimated cattle slaughter will be higher this week. Auction prices for both calves and feeder cattle were stronger.

Knowing the history and genetic potential of your cattle is critical when deciding if retaining ownership and selling on a grid is best for your operation.

For many industry stakeholders, the go-to solution seems to be more localized, regional supply chains. To these folks, the cohort of soon-to-be-built processing plants looks like a golden next era of the meat business.

Aided and abetted by drought, feedlots put together another month of large placements in July despite growing indications that feeder supplies are declining. 

Efforts to regulate profits away from packers is a commodity mindset, columnist Nevil Speer writes. A better investment of time and money is toward consumers and growing beef demand.

Active trade pushed cash fed cattle prices higher again as the market has now advanced $7 over the last three weeks. Drought-induced feedyard placements created a modest surprise for analysts.

Construction will begin this fall on a $200 million upgrade to the existing beef complex and add employee facilities, including locker rooms, a cafeteria and office space.

Beef packers were forced to pay up to attract inventory last week, a bullish signal that the longer-term trend is higher for cash cattle.

During a ceremony in downtown Amarillo, principals for Producer Owned Beef announced their plans for a 3,000-head per day beef packing facility that will break ground next year.

The farmer’s share of the retail beef dollar is often misinterpreted and is not a good measure of industry viability. Much of the discussion about farmer’s share works to commoditize the marketing system.

Sudden deaths late in the feeding phase are both frustrating and expensive. Simplot Land & Livestock says its research suggests genetic selection can greatly reduce the incidence of bovine congestive heart failure.

Beef exports in June 15.2% higher while beef imports were down 15.3%.  Strong exports are helping offset domestic demand struggles as beef imports decreased in the face of higher cow slaughter and lean beef production.

Cattle markets reversed a month-long lower trend with decent gains in all regions, a strong indication retail buying for the Labor Day holiday has begun.

Despite chatter about a global economic slowdown, U.S. beef exports remain on a torrid pace in 2022. Pork exports fell short of last year's record pace.

Cattle feeders continue to fight for shackle space as cash price continue slumping toward a summer low.

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.

A New Mexico jury rules in favor of a cattle producer in a contract dispute with Tyson Fresh Meats, ordering the packer to pay millions in actual and punitive damages.