Packer
Cash cattle prices were steady to slightly higher as supplies of market-ready cattle continue to decline. Analysts believe the fall low is in and stronger prices will prevail the balance of the year.
Beef exports during August were an all-time record for any month. U.S. beef exports continue to be fueled mostly by the strong growth in the China/HK market, up 160.5 percent year over year in August.
The number of high end market ready cattle should be limited for the next several weeks. If the cattle feeder has any opportunity to take any of the margin from the packer the time may be upon us.
Legislative proposals aimed at the U.S. livestock markets could have a negative impact on farmers and ranchers they are intended to protect, Meat Institute argues ahead of Thursday’s House Ag Committee hearing.
Wholesale beef prices have declined nearly 18% since late August at the same time retail prices have risen. But demand for beef remains high, with forward buying increasing the last few weeks.
For their influence on the beef business, shifting toward quality and value-based marketing, U.S. Premium Beef earned Certified Angus Beef’s (CAB’s) 2021 Progressive Partner Award.
A federal judge in Yakima, Wash., has denied Tyson Fresh Meats’ motion in bankruptcy court to pursue fraudulent transfer claims against Easterday Ranches for the sale of its North Lot prior to filing for bankruptcy.
Holidays are out of our way, but packers have begun their fall cooler cleanings. This rotation will keep at least one plant running short for several weeks and will continue to keep fed cattle harvest to a minimum.
Does the beef industry have enough packer capacity? With repeated bottlenecks and a worker shortage, a better question might be, “can the industry better use the capacity it has?”
The Grand Island, Neb. Fire Department has concluded its investigation into the cause of the fire last week at the JBS beef processing facility.
Cattle feeders continue to struggle with ample supplies of market-ready cattle and only moderate demand from packers.
A federal judge has denied a motion for dismissal of the lawsuit alleging price fixing and market manipulation by America’s four largest beef packers.
In a letter to Ag Sec. Tom Vilsack, the North American Meat Institute asks the administration to stop ignoring “fundamental principles of supply and demand” and acknowledge industry structure is not causing inflation.
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) launched additional sustainability modules for companies within the U.S. packer and processor sector.
An overnight fire at the JBS beef facility and a temporary computer glitch at Tyson’s Dakota City facility disrupted beef packing on Monday sending futures prices sharply lower.
Firefighters responded to a fire at the Grand Island, Neb., JBS beef facility on Sunday night.
Negotiated cash trade of fed cattle was limited in both the South and the North last week, and steady to softer prices was the result.
In the haste to go after packers in order to gain producer trust, the government may be using consumer price inflation as a means for greater leverage against packers, suggests John Nalivka.
The fed cattle market in the South continued to inch higher last week. Now that we have the holiday behind us packers should have a greater need for cattle than what we have seen for the last several weeks.
Last week’s cash cattle trade was influenced by downtime at multiple packing plants due to mechanical and labor issues.
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.
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.
Calls for cattle market reforms could hinder alternative marketing agreements (AMA), a value-based marketing tool that has improved beef quality over a generation.
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.
Voters rejected a proposed small beef processing facility slated for Worthington, South Dakota, in a referendum held last week.
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.
The hearing held on July 28 featured testimony from economists and covered the recent Black Swan events affecting the cattle industry.
The “Beefing up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain” hearing will be livestreamed at 2:30 P.M. eastern.
The senator supports legislative action because of concerns that small producers are losing money on cattle due to being unable to spot market.
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.