Latest News From Feedyard

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Senators Ask Treasury Secretary To Investigate JBS

JBS says it seeks opportunities for acquisitions and expansion, but two U.S. senators are calling on the U.S. Treasury Secretary to open an investigation into the Brazilian meatpacker.

Hulett: Cash Cattle Mostly Steady
Hulett: Cash Cattle Mostly Steady

Deferred cattle futures prices suggest cash cattle should rally going forward, and many cattle feeders are in a position to dig in and fight for higher prices.

Wholesale Beef Higher, Cash Cattle In Neutral
Wholesale Beef Higher, Cash Cattle In Neutral

Cash cattle prices were mostly steady on the week while wholesale beef prices made another run higher. Analysts see the overall fundamentals as strong and prices could trend higher.

2021 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners
2021 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners

NCBA announced the winners of its 2021 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards, which annually recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers, marketers, and educators.

Nalivka: Optimistic 2022 Outlook for the Beef Industry
Nalivka: Optimistic 2022 Outlook for the Beef Industry

The outlook for cattle prices and higher returns to cattlemen is looking positive for 2022.  Low prices and significant cost inflation significantly impacted cow-calf producer decisions toward herd numbers. 

Live Cattle Marketing Committee Passes New Resolution, Directive
Live Cattle Marketing Committee Passes New Resolution, Directive

The NCBA Live Cattle Marketing Committee put forth a new resolution and directive. The new resolution pertains to CME Group Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Futures Contract price limits.

CattleFax Forecasts Record Beef Demand; Prospects for Tighter Supplies
CattleFax Forecasts Record Beef Demand; Prospects for Tighter Supplies

The cattle market is still dealing with a burdensome supply of market-ready fed cattle. The influence of that supply will diminish as three years of herd liquidation will reduce feedyard placements.

Peel: Beef And Cattle Trade Rebounds From Pandemic
Peel: Beef And Cattle Trade Rebounds From Pandemic

Total beef exports for the January – June period in 2021 are up 21.5% over the first six months of 2020. This includes a 46.2% year-over-year increase for the month of June over the low point last year.

Hulett: Cattle Prices Head Higher
Hulett: Cattle Prices Head Higher

Cattle prices pushed higher with trade volumes also increasing. The market has been aided by the decline in committed cattle, helping independent feeders clean up their showlists.

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Cash Cattle Begin August Trading Higher, Boxes Surge Again

Late week sales in the North topped the market but fed cattle were firm to higher across all regions. Wholesale beef prices surged more than $18 per cwt. higher for the week.

AMS Announces Two New Market Reports
AMS Announces Two New Market Reports

Beginning Monday, USDA’s Market News will issue two new reports based on Mandatory Livestock Reporting data to provide further insight into formula cattle trades and help promote fair and competitive markets.

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USDA Adopts Market Transparency Policies Backed by NCBA

AMS will publish a National Daily Direct Formula Base Cattle report to provide information on foundational prices used in market formulas, grids, and contracts, and a National Weekly Cattle Net Price Distribution report.

The Case for AMAs
The Case for AMAs

Calls for cattle market reforms could hinder alternative marketing agreements (AMA), a value-based marketing tool that has improved beef quality over a generation.

Outstanding Woman in Business Joins NCBA Team
Outstanding Woman in Business Joins NCBA Team

NCBA names Jennifer Nealson to new position responsible for directing program strategy, development and integration through marketing, research and science disciplines in an effort to increase demand of beef.

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Planning for Drought-Stressed Silage

Silage harvested in drought years brings nitrate concerns. Good silage can still be produced, however, as long as the crop is harvested correctly, ensiled well and carefully stored.

Hulett: Prices Slowly On The Rise
Hulett: Prices Slowly On The Rise

Cattle feeders in the South saw a glimmer of hope in last week’s cattle trade. Most fed cattle in the South brought $120 and region saw decent movement, but still not totally in the clear of the backlog.

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Peel: Cattle Slaughter and Carcass Weights in 2021

Labor challenges for packers are particularly acute on Mondays, which have the lowest daily average slaughter in 2021. Carcass weights will rise seasonally the rest of the year but will remain lower year over year.

John Nalivka
Nalivka: Cattlemen, Be Careful What You Wish For!

Cattlemen should be suspicious of legislative and regulatory activity that interferes with markets under the guise of improving them, writes John Nalivka. Before long the entire camel is “in the tent.”

Inventory Report: Shrinking Cattle Supplies Confirmed
Inventory Report: Shrinking Cattle Supplies Confirmed

USDA’s semi-annual Cattle Inventory report on Friday confirms the U.S. inventories of beef cows, replacement heifers, feeder cattle and calf supplies are declining. The ongoing drought will accelerate the trend.

Answering The Call To Quality
Answering The Call To Quality

Over the last decade, the American Hereford Association reports a 150% growth in marbling and an 86% growth in rib eye area. AHA's feedout programs give producers data to make more informed breeding decisions.

Santa Gertrudis cattle eat at the Tungali feedlot in South Australia.
Peel: USDA Reports Show Reduced Cattle Numbers Now and Later

The latest cattle on feed report confirms that the feedlot situation continues to improve relative to the slaughter capacity constraints that plagued fed cattle markets in early 2021.

Hulett: Feeders Hold Market Steady
Hulett: Feeders Hold Market Steady

Cash cattle traded steady, with cattle feeders in the South still needing a couple more weeks for good trade volume before they have any shot at being able to push the live market higher.

How To Pick A Feedyard
How To Pick A Feedyard

For cattlemen who've always considered feeding their own cattle but have never taken the risk, the first step in picking a partner can be the hardest. Here's a a 12-point checklist for selecting a feeding partner.

Divestment plan leads to ownership changes for 11 feedlots
Declining Weights, Grades Suggest Fewer Front-End Cattle

Cattle market analysts point to declining carcass weights and declines in the percentage of Prime and Choice grading carcasses in recent weeks as a clear signal the peak in fed cattle numbers has been established.

Brazil Meat Packing Plant
North Platte Expected To Invest In Sustainable Beef

Sustainable Beef, LLC, will likely receive $1 million from the North Platte Quality Growth Fund. to be used to help pay for the estimated $10 million cost of architectural, engineering and planning.

Peel: Feeder Cattle Markets Adjust To Higher Feed Prices
Peel: Feeder Cattle Markets Adjust To Higher Feed Prices

Higher feed prices reflect how cattle may be produced. Typically, cattle are grown to heavier weights before they are placed in a feedyard reducing the price slide for feeder cattle as weight increases.

Small Trade Volume Holds Market Steady
Small Trade Volume Holds Market Steady

Feedyard show lists are declining but the day that most lists get sold each week is still several weeks away. Packers have begun to take Saturdays off which will not speed the recovery from the backlog.

Farm Reform Act a “Direct Attack” on Cattle Production NCBA’s Lane Says
Farm Reform Act a “Direct Attack” on Cattle Production NCBA’s Lane Says

Lane joined AgriTalk this week to discuss the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Cory Booker, who is known for being vegan among other things.

Greg Henderson
Booker's Boondoggle

To hear Sen. Cory Booker tell it, the Farm Systems Reform Act would “create a level playing field for independent family farmers” and “transform the broken system built by multi-national meatpacking companies.”

Booker’s Farm System Reform Act ‘Misguided’, NCBA Says
Booker’s Farm System Reform Act ‘Misguided’, NCBA Says

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker re-introduced his Farm System Reform Act, a bill he says would “transform a broken system.” NCBA calls the proposal "misguided."

USDA to Provide Pandemic Assistance to Livestock Producers
USDA to Provide Pandemic Assistance to Livestock Producers

Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing can apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals.

Feeder Cattle Higher Last Week, Fed Cattle Softer
Feeder Cattle Higher Last Week, Fed Cattle Softer

Feeder cattle found a hot market the week following the July 4th Holiday. Fed cattle traded steady to softer.

Raising the Next Generation of Beef Advocates
Raising the Next Generation of Beef Advocates

The Checkoff-funded MBA program was developed in 2009 to bridge the widening chasm between producers and consumers and to help farmers and ranchers share their stories and advocate knowledgeably for the beef industry.

J.D. Cage
Cage: Protecting Cattle From Pest and Disease

Livestock from the U.S. move through Texas in route to Mexico every day. Animals rejected for export could be moved somewhere in Texas without proper testing and treatment, creating vulnerability for Texas ranchers.

Peel: Summer Beef Demand Sizzles
Peel: Summer Beef Demand Sizzles

Strong beef demand and year-over-year decreases in beef production in the third and fourth quarters is expected to continue supporting wholesale beef values for the remainder of the year.

Janette Barnard
The Packers Get Standard Oil'd. Then What?

Just for fun, let's say the DOJ goes full 1911 and ‘Standard Oils’ the meat industry. The ‘Big 4’ become the ‘Midsize 22’. Then what? Janet Barnard offers insights.

Blister Beetles Toxic to Horses
Blister Beetles Toxic to Horses

Veterinarians are cautioning horse owners to be wary of alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles this year as consumption of the beetles pose a risk of serious illness or death for horses.

Group with Ties to Mormon Church Outbids Bill Gates’ Group for Easterday Land
Group with Ties to Mormon Church Outbids Bill Gates’ Group for Easterday Land

An investment company with ties to the Mormon church has the high bid for land that belonged to the now bankrupt Easterday Farms and Easterday Ranches.

Hulett: Light Trade Due to Holiday Weekend
Hulett: Light Trade Due to Holiday Weekend

A light volume of cattle traded last week as per usual ahead of a holiday-shortened week. Prices traded steady to slightly lower with packers more willing to accept lower-grading cattle.

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Peel: Grinding Through Fed Cattle Supplies

Barring some new disruption, feedlot inventories should drop below 2020 (and 2019) levels in the next month or two and remain there going forward. The drought could become a disruption if feedlot placements increase.

COF Steady, Placements Down 7%, Cattle Prices Higher
COF Steady, Placements Down 7%, Cattle Prices Higher

Cattle trade was light in all regions this week with prices steady to higher. USDA's cattle on feed report put inventories up slightly with placements down 7% from last year, at the low-end of the pre-report estimates.

New 1,500-Head Iowa Beef Packer To Open In 2023
New 1,500-Head Iowa Beef Packer To Open In 2023

Cattlemen’s Heritage Beef Company announced plans Friday to construct a 1,500-head per day beef processing facility in Mills County, Iowa, south of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. The plant will employ 750 workers.

Hard Work, Partnerships Bring Expansion for Bar-G Feedyard
Hard Work, Partnerships Bring Expansion for Bar-G Feedyard

Trotter will be inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame this August.

Kansas Rancher Testifies Before Senate Ag Committee on Cattle Markets
Kansas Rancher Testifies Before Senate Ag Committee on Cattle Markets

Senate hearing addressed a range of issues, including the need for robust price discovery and differing industry views on how to achieve it, greater market transparency and oversight, and expanded processing capacity.

Perseverance Brings Growth, Success for Magnum Feedyard
Perseverance Brings Growth, Success for Magnum Feedyard

Gabel will be inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame this August.

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Nalivka: The Direction of the Cattle Industry

Are we headed toward significant inflation in the meat case for a longer period of time?  That depends on how well demand holds.

Packers Continue to Chase Grade
Packers Continue to Chase Grade

Packers were forced to push the market higher in their quest to find higher-grading cattle last week. High=grading cattle are becoming harder to find with each passing week.

Divestment plan leads to ownership changes for 11 feedlots
Fed Cattle Highest In 16 Months

Cash fed cattle prices posted new highs for the year this week with expectations for more next week. Wholesale beef trade this week confirmed boxed prices are headed lower after a historic run.

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NCBA Delivers Progress on Backend 150 Air-Mile Exemption for Livestock Haulers

NCBA spearheaded introduction of the larger HAULS Act in both the Senate and House, and worked to get the backend 150 air-mile exemption included in the Surface Transportation Investment Act.

Peel: Beef Exports Bounce Back
Peel: Beef Exports Bounce Back

Beef exports represent a wide range of product types and qualities exported to various markets and augment domestic beef demand by providing markets for products less desired in the U.S.