The release tomorrow of USDA’s Cattle on Feed report gets the monthly series back on schedule after the government shutdown. It will show the total number of cattle on feed as of 1 March (the 1 February report was released two weeks late on 8 March). Pre-report forecasts peg the total inventory in feedlots of 1,000 head capacity down slightly to 99.7 percent from last year. While the drop is small, it is the first decrease from year-ago levels since December 2016.
February placements are expected to be 96.2 percent of last year. Meanwhile, marketings are anticipated to be more current, coming in at 100.8 percent of a year ago. The tough weather conditions on the Plains have had an impact on placements and are continuing to do so...
What You Need to Know Today: Russia rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, including a proposal to halt attacks on civilian shipping that could help restore grain flows from Ukrainian ports. Tyson Foods announced plans to permanently close its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facili...
The big news in the cattle markets yesterday was Tyson Foods’ move to close two more beef plants. One of them, the Joslin, Illinois, plant was shuttered immediately after the announcement. The other, in Eagle Mountain, Utah, is a case-ready plant that does not slaughter cattle. Tyson also...
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on Wednesday. In July, the CPI rose 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, and rose 3.4 percent over the last 12 months, not seasonally adjusted. The index for all items less food and energy, or the “core” infla...