World Perspectives
livestock

Cattle Herd Growing but Slowing

USDA released its semi-annual cattle inventory report yesterday. It showed the U.S. herd on 1 January 2018 was the largest in nine years at 94.4 million head or 101 percent of the total on the same date a year ago. The calf crop was estimated at 35.8 million head or 102 percent of the 2016 total. The growth came from calves born during the first half of 2017, estimated at 26.0 million head or 73 percent of the annual total. The report confirms that the cattle herd is still increasing but at a slower pace. The more rapid expansion over the past three years followed a decline during the extended drought period that lowered pasture and range conditions through 2014. Thus, all eyes were on the documented female inventory changes as an indicato...

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Cattle of Feed - Sep 2025

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Summary of Futures

Dec 25 Corn closed at $4.24/bushel, up $0.0025 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Wheat closed at $5.225/bushel, down $0.0175 from yesterday's close.  Nov 25 Soybeans closed at $10.255/bushel, down $0.12 from yesterday's close.  Dec 25 Soymeal closed at $284/short ton, down $0.7 fro...

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