2020 was a year of unprecedented volatility in ag markets and life in general, and the cow/calf sector did not escape this pattern. Rising feed costs through the fall have pressured estimated returns to cow/calf operations while weakness in cull cow prices has similarly depressed revenue opportunities. Fortunately, moderate strength in feeder cattle/calf prices has helped offset some of the higher feed costs. WPI’s current forecast is that the “average” cow/calf operation in the southern Plains lost $8.38/cow unit on calves sold this year, a $16 improvement from last month’s estimate but below our July forecast of -$1.94/cow unit.
Cow/calf producers faced a challenging year starting with the spring COVID-19...
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...
