Latest News From Hog Prices-Markets

Whether it’s to fulfill Phase One promised, or an increased need for feed, some say the timing of the record Chinese buys isn’t a coincidence. So, what's driving the record demand from China?

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) says she supports the Biden Administration’s move to freeze payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).

Flexibility remains critical for animal protein industry, CoBank says, as foodservice sales are not likely to reach pre-pandemic levels before mid-2022.

USDA late Wednesday posted notice that $2.3 billion in supplemental Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments will be temporarily frozen.

Cattle and hog feeding margins were little changed last week, with both recording modest losses. Beef packers saw improved margins on significant gains in wholesale beef prices.

Higher grain prices and lower cash livestock prices contributed to a decline in feeding margins last week, leaving closeouts showing red ink for both cattle and hogs.

Driven by higher estimates for pork, the China total meat import forecasts were revised up for both 2020 and 2021, according to the USDA Livestock and Poultry World Markets and Trade report.

Despite guidance from international health organizations stating imported food shipments are an unlikely source of COVID-19 transmission, the Chinese government implemented sample testing procedures at ports of entry.

When it comes to meat export markets, particularly pork, 2020 was a year to remember. Here's why 2021 holds promise for both U.S. pork and beef export opportunities.

The onset of the COVID-19 hit the livestock industry especially hard. A sudden loss of demand caused prices to plummet. But thanks to the ability to pivot quickly, livestock producers showed resilience in 2020.

Average feedyard closeouts saw modest profits for cattle last week as cash prices improved. Hog finishing margins declined from near breakeven to a loss of $6 per head.

The coronavirus aid package approved by Congress overnight Monday provides $13 billion in ag funding, much of it destined for sectors left out of previous aid packages.

“The early part of the year should look very different than the latter, but in total, economic growth is estimated to be about 4%, following a retreat of roughly 4% in 2020,” says Dan Kowalski.

The editors at AgWeb.com are looking at experts’ projections for commodities in 2021 to help you succeed in the coming year. Here’s a look at what analysts expect for the upcoming year in the protein segments.

No one denies the pandemic ramped up changes that needed to be made in the food supply chain. Will past hesitations be set aside as the industry seeks to find ways to be more resilient to avoid a repeat of the spring?

To protect essential frontline workers, JBS USA has voluntarily removed hundreds of at-risk workers from a Greeley, Colo., beef plant in response to rising COVID-19 infections in the community.

The report says total crop receipts are expected to increase $6.5 billion from 2019 levels. Total animal product receipts are expected to decrease $9.7 billion.

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has said that he will not immediately act to remove the Phase 1 trade agreement, which President Donald Trump inked with China, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The first shipment of breeding pigs to utilize the Livestock Export and Inspection Facility at St. Louis Lambert took off for Sao Paulo, Brazil on Nov. 11, making history as they left aboard a Boeing 747-400F.

On Nov. 9, more than 200 local meat and poultry processors in Iowa were awarded Meat Processing and Expansion Grants from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Pork exports continue to maintain a record pace in 2020, increasing 10% year-over-year in September. Beef exports were fairly steady with last year in major Asian markets, but trended lower overall.

Agricultural producers and professionals focused on livestock risk management are invited to a free webinar on livestock markets, price risk and risk management options available through USDA. 

Cattle and hog finishing margins are both positive for the fourth consecutive week despite the fact cash prices for cattle and hogs were slightly lower last week.

Average cattle and hog finishing margins are both positive for the third consecutive week, according to calculations in the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker.

August exports of U.S. pork and beef muscle cuts were above last year's strong volumes, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

Economic data has yet to catch up with what’s happening, but the crash in the equity market is a clear indicator that markets think we are heading for a major contraction in output, Len Steiner says.

The Sterling Beef Profit Tracker reports average cattle feeding closeouts were in the black last week, but with little room to spare.

Feedyard closeouts were $66 per head short of covering all costs last week, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.

Cattle feeding profits declined $50 per head last week while packer margins improved to more than $170.