Marketing-Communications
The late spring rally comes after boxed beef and fed markets appeared to have topped in March.
Live cattle futures started the year with the same enthusiasm, but have deflated since. What went wrong?
While the overall cattle inventory was down, placements were higher than expected.
Changes in Mexican domestic beef consumption and beef trade have significant implications for the U.S. cattle industry in the coming years.
Placements into feedyards are the lowest for February since the series began in 1996.
It is easy to take the data for granted, but the U.S. agricultural data system is under threat of budget cuts.
Along with feedlot inventory, placement into feedlots during November were 6 percent below 2011.
Coming off the holiday, retail beef demand drops and futures were lower, but fed cattle prices were higher last week.
Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.00 million, 19 percent below 2011.
Drought conditions continue to overshadow cattle prices as producers struggle to maintain herds, with many forced to sell off cows and calves.
This is the lowest cattle inventory since the series began in 1973; meanwhile cattle inventory in feedyards is up 3%.
Take advantage of strong cattle prices by implementing a market plan now to stay ahead of drought-forced sell-offs and the fall run.
Currently, cattle movement is limited to shuffling to new pastures, with no major herd sell-offs occurring yet.
Help for understanding the basics of a grid marketing system for selling finished cattle.
Oklahoma State University market analyst Derrell Peel talks about the growing demand for high-quality beef.
Rabobank’s global research report shows downside price risk short-term with recovery expected by midyear.
The online cattle buying and selling site has over 30,000 head listed to date.
USDA says it is cooperating with a request from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for a timeline of events.
The U.S. cattle on feed inventory totaled 11.5 million head on April 1, 2012.
Because of the sharp price pressure on cattle futures ahead of Cattle on Feed report, the negative price reaction should be limited.
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market totaled 11.7 million head on March 1, 2012.
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter in feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.8 million as of Feb. 1.
The fund is an initial step in restoring the confidence of market users following the failure of MF Global.
As cattle supplies remain tight and global demand intensifies, profitability for cattle ranchers will continue in the year ahead.
USDA’s Cattle report indicates that some beef cattle expansion has begun as beef heifer retention increased a modest 1%.
This is the lowest January 1 inventory of all cattle and calves since the 88.1 million on hand in 1952.
Heifers and heifer calves accounted for 4.50 million head, up 6 percent from 2011.
As cattle prices reach record levels, investors are starting to take notice as well.
Demand for Choice beef leads to tighter supplies and high prices.