Corn Crop Could Be Record Large
Corn production is forecast at a record 14.8 billion bu., according to this month’s World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). That would be a staggering 2.4 billion bu. more than last year. The season-average farm price for the new crop is projected at $4.20-$5/bu., down sharply from the 2011-12 record projected at $5.95-$6.25/bu.
Wholesale Prices Lift Cattle Futures
Figuring out markets has always been akin to estimating the speed and direction of unseen ghosts, more so since the commodity bubble and financial collapse.
Beef Cattle Economics Webinar Is May 1
Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University (KSU) livestock economist, will offer a broad economic outlook for cow-calf, stocker and feedlot operators during the May 1 Beef Cattle Economics webinar.
Media, Consumers Take BSE In Stride
Despite market pressure resulting from a new case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) last week, both consumers and media seem to be maintaining level heads.
Wholesale Beef Prices Continue Surge
“BSE case could only be blamed for a small percentage of the loss (cash fed cattle), which actually had more to do with Tuesday’s board basis promoting early trades,” say analysts with the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
Unfounded Consumer Backlash Bashes LFTB
With lean finely textured beef (LFTB), we’re producing beef that is safe, healthy and nutritious, along with drastically increasing the efficiency of the industry,” says Dale Woerner. He’s a Colorado State University assistant professor of meat science.
Strong Fences Lessen Your Legal Liability
As newfangled barbed wire became a staple of the American West, Native Americans took to referring to it as the Devil’s Rope. You’ll likely call it worse if your fences ever let you down and your cattle wind up amid a catastrophic injury case, or even a non-catastrophic one.
Corn Planting Starts Early – Record Production Needed
Farmers intend to plant almost 96 million acres of corn this year, the most since 1937, according to the March 30 USDA Prospective Plantings report. Specifically, the report projects 95.9 acres will be planted to corn. That’s about 1.2 million acres more than the average guess heading in.
Market May Favor Early Intensively Grazed Stockers
“Record-high stocker prices this spring have producers and their lenders nervous about the financial exposure of summer stockers,” says Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist. “Feeder prices have dropped the last month but the change has actually decreased the stocker margin, i.e., the value of gain for summer stockers. Moreover, the changing price relationships have changed the implications for stocker production and marketing.”
Wrapping Up Hay Quality
Wrapping slightly tough hay in plastic can improve forage quality and reduce weather losses, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska Extension forage specialist.
LFTB Furor Pressures Cattle Market
There are too many moving parts to say with certainty how much the furor over lean finely textured beef (LFTB) will ultimately cost beef demand and for how long. Related economic dominos continue to fall, though.
Looking For The Wholesale Price Bottom
The summary below reflects the week ended April 20 for Medium and Large 1 – 500- to 550-lb., 600- to 650-lb. (calves), and 700- to 750-lb. feeder heifers and steers (unless otherwise noted). The list is arranged in descending order by auction volume and represents sales reported in the weekly USDA National Feeder and Stocker Cattle Summary:
Expansion Remains Cautious
Even with feed available, some producers are understandably reluctant to keep more heifers or buy more replacements at current prices.
