Latest News From Livestock Markets

Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall 16%
Profit Tracker: Feeding Margins Fall 16%

A $2 per cwt. dip in cash cattle prices cut $32 of closeout margins last week, but added $46 to packer margins.

U.S. Goat Imports are on the Rise
U.S. Goat Imports are on the Rise

Growing demand for goat meat in the U.S. from ethnic minority groups and foodies has made an unlikely export superstar for Australian farmers, with exports surging to a record.

Cattle placements during January were up 4%.
February Cattle On Feed 8% Higher

Cattle on feed numbers increased 8% during January.

Peel: 2018 Cattle And Beef Markets off to a Good Start

The strong start for beef and cattle markets is encouraging but plenty of challenges remain in 2018.

The strong start for beef and cattle markets is encouraging but plenty of challenges remain in 2018.
Peel: 2018 Cattle And Beef Markets off to a Good Start

The strong start for beef and cattle markets is encouraging but plenty of challenges remain in 2018.

All classes of cattle traded at higher prices, supported by gains in the futures markets.
Cash Fed Cattle Market Rallies $4 to $5

Rising futures prices encouraged packers to raise bids $4 per cwt. on market-ready cattle.

With modest gains in the bred female category, both the young- to middle-aged bred cows and the aged bred cows saw January 2018 average prices higher than those of 2017.
Bred Females Higher, Pairs Lower

With modest gains in the bred female category, both the young- to middle-aged bred cows and the aged bred cows saw January 2018 average prices higher than those of 2017.

Soybeans in Cart
Gulke: Soybeans Offer Technical Signals

Beans were down for the week, off new highs but closing lower than a week ago which gave us some technical signals. That’s important says Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group, here's why. 

Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Top $260
Profit Tracker: Feedyard Margins Top $260

Feedyard closeouts improved $55 per head last week after a $4 price rally.

Cattle on feed inventories were up 8% in December.
U.S. Cattle On Feed Up 8%

Cattle on feed in feedlots with more than 1,000 head capacity totaled 11.5 million head, 8% higher than last year.

The 97 steers that finished the Missouri Steer Feedout on Nov. 14 and Dec. 19 ended up with an average per head loss of $134.76. There were fourteen different owners from across the state in the feedout this year.
Missouri Feedout Ink Is Red: Steers Lose Average of $134 Per Head

The 97 steers that finished the Missouri Steer Feedout on Nov. 14 and Dec. 19 ended up with an average per head loss of $134.76. There were fourteen different owners from across the state in the feedout this year.

More than 140 scouts have sampled thousands of Midwestern corn and soybean fields during the 2017 Farm Journal Midwest Crop Tour.
Strong Grain Demand Has Been Flying Under Radar

While corn, soybeans and wheat have seen some slight rallies in the last few years, prices have stayed relatively low. Record- or near record-breaking crops year after year hasn’t been much help to the price picture. 

In a light test at auction, December bred heifers posted $13 per head gains over November averages and finished 2017 about $55 per head lower than 2016.
Bred Heifer Markets Lone Bright Spot in December

In a light test at auction, December bred heifers posted $13 per head gains over November averages and finished 2017 about $55 per head lower than 2016.

Stocks
Block Trades Come to Agriculture, Sparking Transparency Concern

Block Trades Come to Agriculture, Sparking Transparency Concern

Taking a Leap of Faith: Can Beef Demand Keep up with Supply?
Taking a Leap of Faith: Can Beef Demand Keep up with Supply?

Holiday buying is starting to slow down at retailers, but cattle prices are still hanging tough.

October Calves, Feeders 3% to 5% Higher
October Calves, Feeders 3% to 5% Higher

Feeder cattle and calves continued their fall rally in October, gaining 3% to 5% at auctions. Prices at the beginning of November are nearly 9% higher for both calves and yearlings than the August averages.

Bred Female Prices Stronger Into Fall
Bred Female Prices Stronger Into Fall

Across the nation there was a continuing trend of strength in the bred female markets in October and weakness in other classes.

Cattle on Feed: Aggressive Pricing Amid Inventory Jumps
Cattle on Feed: Aggressive Pricing Amid Inventory Jumps

Market watchers weren’t too surprised to see increases in Friday’s Cattle on Feed report. But how fast the market is moving to handle the influx of cattle has been a shock for many.

Bad News-Good News of Cattle Markets
Bad News-Good News of Cattle Markets

Current cattle markets are a series of bad news-good news. Bad news—cattle prices pulled back last week. Good news—the jump in prices earlier this month has current levels at or above most expectations.

Analyst: Cattle Market "Overbought" and on "Last Leg"
Analyst: Cattle Market "Overbought" and on "Last Leg"

There was some red during the trading day on Tuesday, but in general the cattle markets have remained strong since Oct. 23.

WATCH CHARTS LIKE A TRADER; USING BOLLINGER BANDS
WATCH CHARTS LIKE A TRADER; USING BOLLINGER BANDS

Mike Florez of Florez Trading tells AgDay host Clinton Griffiths that Bollinger Bands are a useful volatility indicator and a good tool for helping determine market opportunities over a short period of time.

Profit Tracker: Margins Near Breakeven, Packers Up
Profit Tracker: Margins Near Breakeven, Packers Up

Average feedyard margins declined $18 per head last week, settling at $26. With average margins that close to breakeven, many cattle sold last week undoubtedly lost money.

Fed Cattle Prices Steady, Feeders Uneven
Fed Cattle Prices Steady, Feeders Uneven

Packers remain in a highly profitable position, while many feedyard closeouts are showing red ink.

Can Cattle Futures Find a Floor?
Can Cattle Futures Find a Floor?

The latest Cattle on Feed report from the USDA was considered to be bearish by analysts. Now traders are looking at whether futures markets can find a way to hold on to current prices.

 Profit Tracker: Margins Weak, But Positive
Profit Tracker: Margins Weak, But Positive

Feedyard profit margins rebounded slightly after last week’s $2 rally in the cash fed cattle market.