Latest News From Marketing-Communications

Many farm kids grew up with the long, hot summer job of painting the barn. But a project to from Certified Angus Beef (CAB) is putting the fun back into what used to be a chore.

The great states of Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming haven’t disappointed. The adventure thus far, has provided our boys opportunity to learn about cow-calf operations, large-scale hay and Colorado agriculture.

“Tractorstuck” is the latest parody video from the Peterson Farm Brothers, set to the AC/DC classic “Thunderstruck.”

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

As grain prices remain fairly stagnant, momentum is gaining in the cattle complex. Cattle futures at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) are on fire this week after hitting contract highs. It’s the livestock sector carrying agriculture’s balance sheet the latter half of 2017 -  a trend that could continue to wrap up the year.

What should have been good news for the grain and oilseed markets ended up having the opposite effect as we ended the week down, sharply down some cases says Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group. 

Prices were higher for all classes of cattle for the week ended Oct. 13, with cash fed cattle trading at $111 per cwt., $2 higher. Cattle sold on a dressed basis at $175 per cwt., $2 to $3 higher.  

Buying grain to feed livestock can be expensive, but there are ways to protect your risk and reduce market volatility. 

Following two days of falling cattle futures prices, Joe Vaclavik, president of Standard Grain, is calling the market moves a knee-jerk reaction to the latest Cattle on Feed report from the USDA.

Cattle markets moved lower this week, spurred by futures markets that nosedived on Wednesday.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) said Japan is continuing to buy U.S. beef. Exports to the island country continued to gain momentum in June, with volume up 7 percent and value up 13 percent compared to 2016.

There are few losers in the cattle market right now. From packers all the way down to cow-calf producers, current prices this summer are turning profits far into what is typically a seasonal lull.

Drought and dryness in the northern Plains hasn’t been enough to stop cattle growth, according to the mid-year cattle inventory numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Cattle markets are continuing to stay interesting, and producers might have found some footing. 

China’s market halted in 2003 when the U.S. investigated a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from an imported dairy cow. Up to that point, the U.S. was China’s largest supplier of beef.

Fireworks are often reserved for Independence Day on July 4th, but for cattle markets they help describe meteoric rises and sudden bursts in prices.

Demand is leading the charge in livestock markets, says Naomi Blohm of Stewart-Peterson.

Brazil was plunged back into a political crisis reminiscent of last year’s impeachment saga following reports that President Michel Temer was embroiled in an alleged cover-up scheme involving the jailed former speaker of the lower house of Congress.

Wild weather in the Corn Belt in the beginning of the month flooded freshly planted fields and dumped inches of snow on Kansas wheat. Farmers were expecting to see a bump in prices, but failed to see any reaction in the markets. 

In the past month, cattle have posted one of the largest short-term price advances in market history.

Last week, the cattle market saw some huge swings.

Kansas animal losses may reach thousands, livestock group says.

Cattle prices have continued to surprise the markets, but have prices seen their peak?

Gains for meat demand prompt bullish bets on cattle futures.  

Last week’s meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping may have some benefits for American agriculture.

The cattle market has seen some strong rallies in the first few months of 2017.

The so-called Weak Flesh probe launched Friday by Brazilian police into the alleged bribing of federal inspection agents to clear the sale and export adulterated meat has taken a toll on the world’s largest exporter of beef and chicken.

The cattle market has been pretty interesting as of late. Elaine Kub, author of “Mastering the Grain Markets” discusses the fundamentals behind the recent strengthening of the cattle market.

So much for the winter blues. It’s been so balmy across part of the U.S. that Americans have been firing up their grills at a time that’s usually better suited to sipping hot cocoa.

The annual Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was held Feb. 1-3 in Nashville, Tenn. Industry leaders talk about the health of the overall beef industry.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also reported a record amount of beef in freezers or cold storage last week.

The cattle market has seen fluctuation, not only from the highs of two years ago but also from last fall when live cattle futures traded under a $1. 

Both fed cattle and feeder cattle markets traded at softer prices for the week.

What is going on with the price spread between retail beef and foodservice?

Cattle feeders saw positive margins on closeouts for the ninth consecutive week.

Beef has a ‘rough start’ in 2017 as wholesale prices drop.

Trade-focused presidential order fulfills campaign pledge.  

Fed cattle led the parade with cash prices $3 to $4 per cwt higher. 

Winter weather could continue to help drive cattle prices higher.

Cattle feeders turned a profit for the eighth consecutive week.

The volume of cattle and calves sold the week ended Jan. 13 was called the second largest in five years, with prices steady to uneven. 

Feedlot closeouts continue ending on positive notes.

Silver linings are hard to find in a cattle market just two years removed from record-high prices—but they exist. 

Social media videos featuring R-CALF are short on facts in the ongoing debate on country of origin labeling and beef trade.

Cow herd expansion appears to be on the rise.

Feedlot marketings were up 16.6% in November, while placements rose 15%.

Cattle markets have seen a nice run in November and December, but some analysts think it won’t continue. 

Cattle feeders earned average profits of $68 per head last week, $30 per head more than the previous week.