Feedyard
Cattle feeders were left on the sidelines as every other cattle/beef market segment saw a price rally. Futures markets set new highs, but cash cattle have not reached $112 for seven months.
Cargill announced it will temporarily idle two of its protein processing facilities for scheduled maintenance. The idling of the facilities is unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As agriculture moves towards more sustainable solutions and ingredients, Alltech E-CO2 has developed the Feeds EA™ model to help feed manufacturers and producers measure and lower the carbon footprint of their feed.
The combination approvals allow Optigrid 45 to be used with other feed additives commonly fed to feedlot cattle, including monensin, tylosin and melengestrol.
The over-supply of cattle combined with a lack of interest from packers pushed the cash cattle market lower last week.
Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality specialist at UC-Davis is the keynote speaker at the virtual 2021 Driftless Region Beef Conference set for Jan. 26 to 28.
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.
Cash cattle prices slipped lower throughout the week as packer demand was called moderate. Grain markets posted a significant rally on the heels of USDA’s report on Tuesday.
Wendy’s announces 15% increase in percentage of beef sourced through Progressive Beef-certified producers in 2020; on track to meet goal of at least 50% this year.
Even as last week’s prices were steady, it should be noted packers have been buying cattle for several weeks out, which is not behavior that would suggest packers feel that the market is going to be softer.
Distillers grains are unique in that the price of this byproduct of ethanol production is usually priced relative to the corn market. However, distillers grains prices have increased in line with protein markets.
U.S. beef trade is stabilizing as the ripple effects of the initial COVID-19 disruptions continue to fade. The latest beef trade data for November shows that monthly exports were up 13.2 percent year-over-year.
Packers were back to buying cattle for a full slaughter week, but their interest only seemed moderate to most feeders. Prices were mostly steady on moderate demand.
Beef producers should look for ways to inspire consumer confidence in beef products, and that includes management strategies such as proper vaccine administration.
U.S. CattleTrace, a not-for-profit that securely maintains and manages data collected as part of disease traceability, announced the release of its model for membership.
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.
Cattle feeders found higher prices as 2020 came to a close, but their ability to push the market higher may hinge on how Live Cattle futures perform in the first weeks of the New Year.
Cattle feeders gained enough leverage to push negotiated cash cattle prices higher during both holiday weeks as 2020 drew to a close. Supplies of fed cattle will tick lower during the first quarter of 2021.
All packers were active players in all regions in the days leading up to the Christmas weekend and prices rallied $2 per cwt. accordingly. Feeders reported good clean-up throughout the region.
Negotiated cash fed cattle traded $2 higher in the South during the holiday-shortened week. Futures markets appear supportive and asking prices will be higher in the days before New Year’s.
The Iowa Beef Industry Council annually recognizes outstanding beef producers for high-quality animal care and handling principles as part of their day-to-day operations through Beef Quality Assurance.
Cash cattle in the South traded steady, and futures contracts had a decent week but packer needs during the holidays seem to have more of an effect than the futures market.
Fed cattle treaded steady in the South to weaker in the North, with wholesale beef prices posting additional declines for the week. Friday’s cattle on feed report was as advertised and will be viewed as neutral.
A two-year large-scale trial in Alberta, Canada has successfully demonstrated that a novel feed ingredient, developed by Royal DSM, can be included in commercial feedlot diets to reduce methane emissions by up to 80%.
Cash cattle trade began on Tuesday last week, but bids were scarce even at lower money. Some feeders held strong for higher money, but with the decline in the CME board a higher market never surfaced.
Cattle markets limped through a lackluster week for cash sales as wholesale beef prices plummeted. Despite lower cash cattle prices, packer margins likely declined significantly with lower cutout values.
The Beef Alliance Startup Challenge is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to align the customers of technology (cattle feeders) with the creators of technology (startups) to put high impact solutions to work.
Negotiated cash cattle traded started at higher money mid-week, but in their rush to move cattle some feeders agreed to lower prices and the week ended on a softer note.
The post-Thanksgiving negotiated trade was mixed, with higher prices mid-week, falling off $1 to $2 by week’s end. Feeder cattle sold uneven, $2 lower to $3 higher.
Cattle feeders were thankful for last week’s $1 advance in cash prices while beef packers continue operating with Texas-size margins.