Feedyard
Cash fed cattle traded at steady prices for the third consecutive week. Wholesale beef prices continued their advance, sparked by smaller than expect cattle slaughter early in the week due to the cyberattack at JBS.
The fed cattle trade last week continued down the same path that we have seen for several weeks. The upcoming weather forecast of hot weather will not be helpful for the backed-up cattle supply.
Black swan events are always possible, but with a little luck, cattle markets will settle back into more typical dynamics and we can get a break from the action-adventure roller coaster of the past two years.
The current outlook for the summer has increased chances for warmer than normal temperatures, increasing the potential for heat stress in cattle.
NCBA led a letter with the support of 37 affiliate state cattle organizations, urging the leadership of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to address critical areas of concern in the cattle and beef industry.
Agricultural Marketing Service reporters called demand for feeder cattle and calves “good to very good.” Last week’s fed cattle traded at mostly steady prices on moderate demand.
Cash prices held mostly steady last week, which could be a sign packers are beginning to get through some of the committed cattle and be in the market to buy more cash cattle from independent cattle feeders.
To thrive in the environments beef producers have created for them, cattle must have access to basic cattle health and welfare. Among them, the ability to perform natural behaviors.
Weekly slaughter head counts are key data points gauging feedyard currentness and record boxed beef values this spring. Outcomes in those two, while both dependent on slaughter rate, are working at odds with each other.
Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program has released the annual 2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities report.
Feeder cattle sold high on good to moderate demand last week. CME live cattle traded lower following Friday’s cattle on feed report, while feeder futures were modestly higher.
The feedlot situation is improving but it will take additional time to process current feedlot supplies and the stress and challenges at the packing level will slow the process for at least several more weeks.
Packer needs for cattle appeared to be limited last week, yet prices paid in all regions held relatively steady with the previous week.
USDA’s Cattle on Feed report was 5% higher than May 2020. Cattle prices were steady to higher and wholesale beef prices continued spiraling upward.
The impact of cattle market discrepancies are being felt by consumers and gaining the attention of lawmakers outside traditional farm-states. New reporting suggests USDA may be considering regulatory action.
Cattle feeders in the South region continued to see a lack of negotiated cash trade due to an abundance of market ready cattle.
Cash fed cattle traded at modestly higher prices this week in light to moderate volumes. Wholesale beef prices continued pushing higher, and cattle futures prices fizzled with Thursday’s losses.
Expanding drought across the Central Plains becomes increasingly evident in cattle markets. Stocker and feeder cattle sold lower last week, even as demand for grazing cattle was called good in parts of the NC region.
Many independent feeders are finding themselves fighting the same issues this year as they faced last year, yet feed costs are more than double what the were last year.
The cyclical expansion in cattle numbers from 2014 to 2019 has now pushed cattle slaughter beyond packing industry capacity. It is estimated that annual average slaughter has exceeded capacity since 2016.
Production Animal Consultation and Midwest PMS will host a series of workshop training events in Kansas and Nebraska during the month of June for feedyard managers and employees.
When was the last time you considered a subtractive approach? Not just cutting feed or input costs but an enterprise evaluation to ensure your time is optimized.
Beef may be in high demand but cattle prices struggle to hold steady. Fed cattle slipped $1 to $2 lower last week and auction prices for feeder cattle fell $1 to $5 lower, AMS reporters said.
Ample supplies of fed cattle continue to hang over the market as feedlots struggle to get more current. Beef packers have very large margins and appear to be trying to push kills in the face of limited capacity.
Feedyards across all regions sold cattle higher last week and are looking to push the market even further this week. Last week sales volumes were called light to moderate with packers chasing a tightening supply.
The reopening of restaurant and foodservice is driving beef demand to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, spiking wholesale beef prices $20 per cwt. higher this week, and more than $34 per cwt. higher over two weeks.
Demand for spring and summer grazing cattle remains high with prices reflecting good buyer competition. Agricultural Marketing Service reporters called last week’s prices for steers and heifers steady to $4 higher.
Cash cattle traded in light to moderate volumes last week, with the strongest prices in the North. Wholesale beef prices continued marching higher as demand continues strong.
Negotiated cash cattle slipped $1 to $2 lower last week, yet wholesale beef prices marched higher. USDA’s cattle on feed report found aggressive March placements.
Stocker and feeder cattle saw significant price reductions last week as grain markets continued marching higher in rapid fashion.