Marketing

Sharp Drop In Cattle In Feedlots

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:49:00 +0000

Des Moines Register

USDA reports a 15% drop in new cattle coming into the nation’s feedlots, foretelling another tightening of meat supplies later this year.

Wholesale Prices Lift Cattle Futures

Mon, 21 May 2012 14:01:00 +0000

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.

Marketing Undergoing Subtle But Major Shift

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:26:00 +0000

There have been a multitude of attempts to try to fix the problems created by a commodity system; everything from grids, to branded programs, to age and source verification, have created ways to recognize and capture value. While these programs have grown demand and increased total dollars available to purchase cattle and beef, they haven’t knocked down the barriers that keep the industry’s pricing systems based on commodity averages, rather than true value.

My View From The Country

Start Your Fall Marketing Now

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:26:00 +0000

This is the time when cattlemen should be contacting the last 10 purchasers of their product to see how they performed for them. Customer feedback is often far less expensive than consultants, and the results often far more compelling. Hopefully, you’ll hear glowing reports, but it’s the criticisms that will allow you to improve.

My View From The Country

Vilsack: Beef Consumption Steady

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:10:00 +0000

Des Moines Register

U.S. beef consumption has remained strong despite attacks questioning the safety of lean trimmings in hamburger, according to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Cattle Marketing: An Explorative Approach

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:18:00 +0000

South Dakota State University

While cattlemen realize some of the most rewarding times in the history of their industry due to unprecedented price levels, they may need to guard against complacency as there are several factors that could threaten that status. What if interest rates increased by 2%? What if the U.S. dollar increased in value? What if feeder and fed cattle prices moderated? What if input costs continue to increase? A mini-conference set for the Mitchell Regional Extension Center will address these concerns.

Do We Need Animal ID?

Wed, 09 May 2012 09:02:00 +0000

The U.S. confirmed its fourth case of BSE in April, this one in a central California dairy cow. While the announcement sent shockwaves through the industry, the media coverage was fairly balanced and factual.

BEEF Daily

Market Report: Carryover Presents A Challenge

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:40:00 +0000

By Nevil Speer, Western Kentucky University

In his Monthly Market Profile for BEEF magazine, Western Kentucky University’s Nevil Speer says the primary story during the past several months revolves around cattle feeders. They’ve done a great job fending off the onslaught of negative pressure, he says, but serious cracks began to appear in April.

South Korean Officials Asked To Address Public Concern Over U.S. Beef

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:01:00 +0000

RTT News

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak directed officials to handle policies with the "safety and health of the people in mind" as his government is under pressure to halt American beef imports following a recent BSE case in the U.S.

Market May Favor Early Intensively Grazed Stockers

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:07:00 +0000

“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.”