Livestock Producer Turnaround Cow/calf operators and hog feeders have seen a decrease in margins over the past three years, according to the latest data on national average operating costs. In 2014, the hog market was bullishly impacted by the shortages caused by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), and cow culling pushed calf prices to record highs. As the saying goes, though, the best cure for high prices is high prices.
Herd expansion over the past few years and trade uncertainty in the pork market have pressured prices. However, things are looking up for 2019. It has been a wet year for cow-calf operators with lots of grass this spring. March calf prices were a bit below last year’s, but April prices are inching above year-...
What You Need to Know Today: After a period of limited activity, USDA reported a sizeable 613 KMT in soybean export sales, including 330 KMT to China and 283 KMT to unknown destinations, potentially also China. The purchases represent a meaningful pickup in demand and bring China closer to ful...
Key Takeaways: Consumer spending is a key driver of the U.S. economy, and the latest retail sales data indicate that spending remains robust despite inflation. In September, total retail and food service sales rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, with food service spending up 7 percent and...
The Trump import plan for 300,000 MT of beef supplies used for ground beef, i.e., lean trim, from September through November has, according to Secretary Brooke Rollins, brought some relief to beef prices. The Executive Order states that the Secretary of Agriculture will analyze and review the m...
