Feeder
The cash market for fed cattle last week gave some relief to feeders and overall market sentiment in the wake of the prior week’s $5/cwt. decline.
Beef packer continued with a stranglehold on cattle markets last week, buying a few cattle to fill their needs at lower money and keeping operating margins historically high.
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.
Markets understand the tight supply picture that is being set up and have responded accordingly. Feeder Cattle futures have moved into the mid-$180s, which creates pricing opportunities for summer stocker operations.
Gaining a greater understanding of how your cattle development decisions impact the next phase provides context around the market signals from bidders and buyers.
Tony Clayton explains the opportunities for feeder cattle exports driven by genetic demands.
These images depict a steer calf that had been on feed for 272 days with no treatment history when it was found dead in the pen.
When it comes to feeder cattle prices, 2014 was a year to remember. What if we apply those prices to today’s cattle feeding scenario? How would margins fair?
Cattlemen are constantly searching for more information on shrinkage of cattle through the marketing channels. Generally, the amount of shrink varies with the type of feed cattle are on before penning and transport.
There’s all this energy focused on the “market” – but there’s little emphasis on the “business”, that’s where opportunity gets established.
Feeder cattle markets have been in transition for several months and more transition is ahead. A strong uptrend in feeder prices is now reflected in Feeder futures prices, which may offset typical seasonal patterns.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture employee was paid to allow tick infested and diseased cattle to enter the country, according to an indictment filed in a Laredo federal court last week.
Taking a detour into how stewardship and sustainability play a role in the future of cattle marketing, Steve Cornett offers the fourth installment of a who-knows-how-many series on proposals to reform cattle markets.
Cattle markets were hit hard Thursday on news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Higher grain prices drove feeder cattle prices as much as $5 lower on CME feeder cattle futures and more than $2 lower for CME Live cattle.
Last week cattle feeders found themselves in an environment they had not seen since August of 2019. Four packers were in the market competing for the cattle that were available on the list.
McDonald’s Canada announced the first representative for the McDonald’s Flagship Farmer Program, a global initiative to amplify stories of exceptional rancher who exemplify best practices in beef production.
The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is suing the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in an effort to stop a 11,600-head feedlot in Clayton County that lies near Bloody Run Creek.
Imports of Mexican cattle the the U.S. are down 18.7% through the first seven months of the year compared to 2020. However, the fourth quarter of the year typically sees increased Mexican imports.
The percentage of heifers in USDA’s August feeder cattle sale reports is higher this year in all three marketing channels – auctions, direct sales and video auctions – an indication of the drought’s influence.
Dual purpose crops are planted in mid to late September. Seeding rates, planting dates, and fertilizer management are compromises between the needs for fall forage production and grain production in the spring.
An unprecedented meeting held in May among major cattle industry representatives, typically at odds, has produced plans for change and calls for answers from U.S. lawmakers. Keep up with the latest on this page.
Trotter will be inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame this August.
Calves and stocker cattle sold higher at auctions across the country the last full week of March. Feeder cattle futures rallied to new contract highs and settled up $1.15 to $2.325, with the May contract leading gains.
Researchers at Kansas State University analyzed 211 livestock video auctions and determined that trucking distance has an effect on the price that buyers are willing to pay.
A wildfire forced evacuations in southwest Nebraska last week as the entire state is now in a drought. The Nebraska Cattlemen have identified ways to help those impacted by the fire.
The beef industry reacts to high feed prices differently than other species as the ruminant biology of cattle means less grain will be used by changing how cattle are produced more than by changing production levels.
Carl Stevenson: cowboy, World War II veteran and cattle feeding entrepreneur.
New research highlights the ability of behavior monitoring to predict disease while enhancing health outcomes and making the pen rider’s job easier.
Cash fed cattle trade was active on Wednesday, surging $2 to $4 higher the day before Thanksgiving, with demand strong in all major cattle feeding regions.
“Perhaps we should better understand a few of the sponsoring and participating voices” involved in this week’s rally of independent cattlemen.