USDA released its monthly meat price spreads today, which show the producer, packer and retailer share of the retail value of beef and pork. As expected, based on past and the current CPI reports, retail values of red meat during Q3 were down from earlier in the year, though beef saw a holiday spike in December. For the month, beef retail prices were flat, but down 3.1 percent on the year. Pork prices were down 1.9 percent for the month and up 1.5 percent for the year. Meanwhile, cattle producers are seeing a growing share of the retail value of beef, while hog producers have been seeing a declining share of the retail value of pork.
Obviously, for beef, with retail values declining and cattle prices increasing, the packers’ margin...
What You Need to Know Today: Markets got a surprise with a corn yield of 181.2 bushels/acre in the October WASDE, above the average estimate of 177.6 bushels/acre and up from USDA’s September estimate of 178.5 bushels/acre. Although stronger demand is expected to absorb some of the addit...
Key Takeaways: On Friday afternoon, President Trump announced that Russia will “immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel” to the United States. The deal, typical of this administration, is light on details but promises an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 m...
The USDA has lowered its 2026 red meat production forecasts slightly while forecasting a slight increase in broiler production. Beef is now projected at 24.802 billion pounds, 75 million pounds less than in September. Cow slaughter is expected to be up; however, this will be offset by lower ste...
