Reading Time: 2 minutes Dry pastures, profitable cattle prices and herd liquidation likely caused producers to put more cattle in feedlots in October than a year earlier, analysts said Nov. 19. The U.S. Agriculture Department’s monthly feedlot cattle report showed the addition of 2.504 million new cattle to feedlots last month, up 1.3 per cent year-on-year. Analysts on average […] Read more
Feedlot Placements Continue Despite High Grain Prices
New Rules Could Shrink U.S. Meat Industry — Study
Reading Time: 2 minutes The U.S. livestock and meat industry could face more than $1 billion in annual losses, and a drop in production if proposed rules for the industry are implemented, according to a study funded by big livestock producers released Nov. 10. Earlier this year, the Agriculture Department’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration proposed rules designed […] Read more
Higher Priced Feed To Trim Livestock Production
Reading Time: < 1 minute U.S. cattle and hog producers will likely reduce herds now that it appears there will be even less corn and soybean meal for feed, analysts said. Chicken producers, who have been rapidly expanding flocks, may slow that process now that higher-priced corn and soybean meal appear to be here to stay, analysts said. “Feed costs […] Read more
U. S. Cattle Herd Lowest On Record – for Aug. 2, 2010
Reading Time: 2 minutes Government cattle reports on June 23 showing a larger U. S. feedlot cattle supply but a smaller U. S. cattle herd drew mild reactions from analysts, who said the numbers should have little impact on cattle prices, which this year have been the highest since 2008. One U. S. Agriculture Department report showed the number […] Read more
Profitable U.S. Cattle Producers Staying Small
Reading Time: 3 minutes We are seeing more culled cows going to market than we ever have. So we are seeing more liquidation.” MARK SMITH KANSAS LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION For the first time in years all levels of the U. S. beef cattle industry are enjoying healthy profits, largely because the nation’s smallest herd in 50 years is keeping cattle […] Read more
Profitable futures slow U. S. hog herd liquidation
Reading Time: 2 minutes U. S. hog producers who have reduced their herds after a couple of rough years may be slowing that process as Chicago futures prices suggest this could be a profitable year for hogs. The latest U. S. Agriculture Department data shows that sow slaughter has slowed and is now less than a year ago, a […] Read more
Investors Develop A Taste For Beef
Reading Time: 2 minutes Investors seeking strong returns in the commodity markets have been pouring money into U. S. cattle futures, sending prices to 15-month highs and boosting February volume 27 percent from a year ago. Open interest, a measure of market liquidity, is at a record high in Chicago Mercantile Exchange cattle, and much of that is attributed […] Read more
Without Russia, U. S. Chicken Needs New Markets
Reading Time: 2 minutes chicago/reuters The U. S. chicken industry needs another home run, similar to the one that took the once lowly chicken wing and turned it into a football fan’s “must have” snack. This time, dark meat leg quarters need a marketer’s touch. For about two decades, the $60-billion U. S. chicken industry has sent leg quarters, […] Read more
U.S. Feedyard Commits To National Beef
Reading Time: < 1 minute Hitch Enterprises, a privately held livestock operation, has reached a deal whereby it will sell cattle from its three feedyards solely to National Beef Packing, an agreement that Hitch leaders believe will produce better prices for its customers. The “handshake” agreement started in January and will continue indefinitely, Hitch Chairman Jason Hitch told Reuters in […] Read more
Smaller U.S. Cattle Supply Bullish For Prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes The U.S. Department of Agriculture Livestock on Feed report Dec. 18 showed a smaller-than-expected cattle supply, but analysts cautioned that the economic recession, which has been a drag on beef sales, may prevent long-term gains in prices. The report showed one per cent fewer cattle in feedlots as of Dec. 1. USDA also reported eight […] Read more
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