NCBA Urges USDA to Reverse Decision to End Reporting of Critical Cattle Industry Data

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) criticized the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Services’ (USDA-NASS) decision to cancel the July Cattle Report and discontinue the County Estimates for Crops and Livestock, among other changes. These reports provide critical data and the decision to end them is completely misguided.

“It is disingenuous for the same agency which touts its commitment to transparency in livestock markets to arbitrarily cease publication of reports which provide just that...

USDA’s APHIS Answers Questions on Detection of HPAI in Dairy Cattle

Following the recent string of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in dairy herds in several states, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the rapidly evolving situation.

As of Apil 3, 2024, six states have confirmed cases of HPAI in domestic livestock. The first confirmation was on March 25 in dairy milking cattle in Texas. Since then, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Idaho, and Ohio have also reported HPAI in dairy cattle herds.

Below are some of the questions...

ANALYSIS: Cattle Weights Resume Contra-Seasonal Gains Following Brief Stall

Cattle weights have resumed their contra-seasonal move higher following a brief stall, putting market participants on high alert. 

A string of winter storms and muddy pen conditions impacted cattle performance towards the start of 2024. Dressed steer weights shed 30 pounds during January, hitting a year-to-date bottom at 909 pounds during the week ending February 3. 

Dynamics in the cattle market have shifted in recent weeks with weights now displaying a contra-seasonal increase, reversing the declining trend seen since the start...

Another 38 Brazilian Slaughterhouses Can Export Meat to China

Number of license issuances in a single advertisement is the highest ever recorded in history

In the year in which Brazil celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations with China, another 38 Brazilian meat processing plants were authorized to sell meat to the Asian country, according to a statement from the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Map) this Tuesday ( 12) .

38 licenses were granted, including eight chicken slaughterhouses, 24 cattle slaughterhouses, a beef thermoprocessing establishment and five...

ANALYSIS: Shifting Market Dynamics Alter Trend Between Cattle and Corn Prices

Cash corn and cattle prices followed a comparable track over the past ten years. However, that tandem trend began to change starting in 2022 due to significant shifts in market dynamics for both commodities.

Omaha, US No 2 Yellow Corn prices peaked at $8.43 per bushel in June 2022, closely challenging the record hit in 2012. The rise in corn prices that year was driven in part by supply disruptions created by the Russia-Ukraine war, as Ukraine is a major supplier of grains to the world markets...

Missouri Prime Beef Packers to Close Processing Plant in April

In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice to the state Monday, Missouri Prime Beef Packers announced it will close its processing plant in Pleasant Hope, Missouri due to unforeseeable business circumstances.

The plant will close on April 26, 2024, resulting in the termination of 335 full-time employees. The bulk of layoffs will impact fabrication staff. The closure may be permanent or temporary, added yesterday's letter. 

Operations at the Missouri Prime plant officially started in March 2021. The 100,000-square-foot facility was...

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ANALYSIS: Lighter Cattle Weights and Reduced Output Pull YTD Beef Production Lower

The impact of last month’s winter storms across the U.S. is illustrated in average cattle weights, which have dropped precipitously since the start of the year.

The latest USDA data indicated dressed steer weights at 909 pounds, up 1 pound from last year but 3 pounds below the week prior. Steer weights started the year at 937 pounds, a seasonal all-time high. Average dressed heifer weights were reported at 827 pounds, up 2 pounds from the week prior but 6 pounds under 2023 and down 24...

Major U.S. Winter Storm May Hinder Livestock Movement

Livestock producers and road crews are preparing for a major winter storm that will impact a significant portion of the country this week. 

The Plains and Midwest, where the bulk of the nation's cattle and hog-producing regions are located, could experience heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions through Tuesday. Meanwhile, damaging winds and severe thunderstorms are expected for the deep South through the Northeast today into tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). 

Whiteout conditions due to heavy snowfall combined with severe wind gusts could...

CME Grain Futures Pressured by Improved Moisture in Brazil

CME soybean futures began the new year at multi-month lows, pressured by improved moisture in Brazil and extended forecasts for additional rainfall. 

The March soybeans contract slipped to the lowest level since June 30 and ended with a 24 ½ cents decline at $12.73 per bushel. 

Brazil is the world’s leading producer of soybeans, followed by the United States and Argentina. The planting season in Brazil occurs from October through December, with harvest taking place in March through May...

NCBA Secures Senate Introduction of Legislation to Protect Producers from Black Vultures

This week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the introduction of the Senate version of the Black Vulture Relief Act introduced by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a companion bill to legislation introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year that protects cattle producers from the devastating impacts of black vulture depredation.

“Black vultures are particularly nasty predators, and their attacks can be financially devastating to small, family-owned cattle operations,” said NCBA Policy Division Chair Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer...

NCBA Again Strongly Opposes USDA’s Decision to Allow Paraguayan Beef Imports

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly opposes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to allow Paraguayan beef imports starting next month. NCBA has repeatedly raised concerns with USDA over Paraguay’s history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and the outdated information used to justify Paraguay’s access to the U.S. market. NCBA is concerned that USDA’s failure to use information from recent site visits in the risk assessment may pose great risk to the safety of the U.S. cattle herd...

CME Grain Futures Surge Amid Extreme Drought in Brazil, Pressuring Feeders Lower

Feeder cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange plummeted to multi-month floors on Thursday, pressuring live cattle futures lower as well. 

Most active January feeders touched their lowest level since June 28 and finished $5.525 lower at $245.375 per cwt. December live cattle hit a one-week floor and settled down $1.90 to $185.30 per cwt. Yesterday's sell-off lowered feeder futures into oversold territory. 

A sharp rise in corn futures contributed to the downturn in feeders. December corn surged to the highest level since August and finished 13 cents higher at $5.05 a bushel...

Beef Checkoff's Producer Communications Efforts Necessary to Shape Current, Future Programs

Since 1988, beef producers have funded the national Beef Checkoff by paying a mandatory $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, overseen by the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) and the USDA. While the Beef Checkoff has been around for decades, some beef producers have questions about how their dollars are being spent. That's why the Beef Checkoff sets aside a very small percentage of its funds each year for the Producer Communications program...

Live Cattle and Feeder Futures Extend Their Midweek Gains, Hit New Highs

The cattle complex extended its midweek gains on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Thursday, sending feeder futures to fresh contract highs. 

October live cattle surged to a seven-week ceiling and finished 95 cents higher at $183.65 per cwt. October feeders were up $2.40 to $258.875 per cwt, beating out the previous contract high made early last week...

Corn futures were trading flat to fractionally higher at the closing bell for livestock futures and likely had minimal impact on the feeders' futures action...

Record Breaking Heat Across Central U.S. Poses Risks to Livestock, Crops

The extreme heat impacting a large portion of the country this week has posed significant challenges for producers and their livestock. 

Highs into the upper 90s and low 100s are forecast for a broad region between the Midwest and central Gulf Coast today, according to the National Weather Service. Coupled with high humidity levels, heat indices could approach 120 degrees in some regions. While it's not unusual for August to experience heat, the current temperatures have shattered records. 

Over 110 million people across 20 states are currently under heat... 

USDA Cattle: Aug 1 On Feed 2.3% Below Year Ago, July Placements -8.3%

USDA's monthly on-feed report released Friday showed the number of cattle in U.S. feedyards with a capacity of 1,000 or more head as of Aug. 1 at 2.3% below a year ago, slightly under the average of analysts' estimates.

Placements in July were reported at 91.7% of a year ago, about 2.8 percentage points below the average guess. The range of the guesses for placements was 3.5% to 9.6% under a year ago.  

Marketings for July were reported at 94.7% of the year-ago figure, very... 

Leading Nicaraguan Beef Processors Remain Committed to Cattle Traceability, Responsible Ranching

Amidst recent international media attention, leading Nicaraguan beef processors have reiterated commitments to responsible ranching and traceability.

PATROL, a 2023 documentary, explores claims from communities in Nicaragua stemming from environmental conflict, including illegal cattle ranching on the rainforests of the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve.

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio promoted PATROL on Instagram, sparking conversations among many on the social media platform, questioning if cattle produced on illegally converted lands in Nicaragua could be unwittingly consumed by American households. More than 95% of the beef Nicaragua produces is exported primarily to...

Aug 1 Cattle On Feed Projected 1.6% Under Year-Ago

Market analysts and economists participating in the Urner Barry monthly cattle on feed survey predicted on average the Aug. 1 on-feed number at 1.6% below a year ago. On-feed estimates ranged from 98.0% to 99.1% of year-ago levels. 

USDA will release its monthly on-feed report at 3 pm Eastern time Friday.

Placements of young cattle in July were predicted on average at 5.5% below a year ago. The range of guesses was from 3.5% to 9.6% under a year ago.

Marketings, or those shipped out for slaughter...

U.S. Beef Herd Declines for Fifth Straight Year

The semiannual USDA Cattle Inventory report, released Friday afternoon, indicated that all cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1 totaled 95.9 million head, down 2.7% from a year ago.

The average pre-report estimate in the Urner Barry survey was expecting a 2.3% decline to 96.3 million head.

The 2023 calf crop was estimated at a record low of 33.8 million head, down 2% from 2022. Total cows and heifers that have calved were reported at 38.8 million head, down 2% from 2022 and nearly on target with analysts' expectations... 

Cattle Industry Summer Meeting Education Session to Focus on Resilience

U.S. cattle producers are gathering in San Diego, July 24-26, for the industry’s Summer Business Meeting to discuss critical issues, develop initiatives, and establish direction for various projects aimed at improving the beef cattle industry. One of the highlights of the event is the education session “Optimizing Resources and Leveraging Technology to Build Resilience” on Wednesday, July 26, which will provide leaders with a glimpse into building resilience.

This session, sponsored by Envu, will feature Dr. James Oltjen, Cooperative Extension Animal Management Systems Specialist at the University of...

June 1 Cattle On Feed Projected 3.2% Below Year-Ago

Market analysts and economists participating in the Urner Barry monthly Cattle on Feed survey predicted on average the June 1 on-feed number at 3.2% below a year ago. On feed estimates ranged from 96.4% to 96.9% of year-ago levels. 

USDA will release its monthly on-feed report at 3 pm eastern time Friday.

Placements of young cattle in May were predicted on average at 1.7% above a year ago. If accurate, it would be the first time that placements increased year over year since August 2022. The range of guesses...

Live Cattle and Feeder Futures Snap Streak of Higher Closes

After scoring fresh contract highs again at midweek, live cattle futures finished sharply lower Wednesday, snapping their nine-day streak of firmer closes. 

The June live cattle contract closed 82.5 cents lower at $179.00 per cwt but remains overbought. The deferred contracts formed outside bearish reversals. 

Feeder futures also scored new highs yesterday before nosediving, sending most actively traded August to a nearly one-week floor. The front-month finished $4.15 lower at $239.10 per cwt while September was down $4.25 to $242.275 per cwt...

ANALYSIS: Cash Cattle Market Kicks Off New Month With Fresh Record Highs

This week’s cash cattle trade started off with a bang on Thursday as prices advanced by as much as $9 per cwt from the week prior. Negotiated prices in the South reached $180 per cwt, a new high for the year as well as a record high level for the Texas/Oklahoma region.  

In the North, live prices achieved $188 per cwt, also a fresh record high. Dressed sales climbed to $292.50 per cwt in Nebraska, approaching the all-time record of $298...

USDA APHIS Confirms Atypical BSE Case in Beef Cow at South Carolina Plant

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed an atypical case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, in a beef cow at a slaughter plant in South Carolina.

The beef cow was about five years or older and was tested as part of APHIS’s routine surveillance of cattle that are unsuitable for slaughter. The animal did not enter slaughter channels or present any risk to the food supply chain or to human health, said the USDA.

This is the country’s 7th...

Stock Futures Inch Higher as Talks on Nation's Debt Ceiling Continue

U.S. stocks are posting modest gains in early trading action Friday as talks on the nation's debt ceiling continue. The Dow Jone Industrial Average was last 0.2% higher while the S&P 500 was also up by 0.2%. The Nasdaq-100 was 0.05% higher as of this writing.  

Through Thursday’s close, the Dow has gained 0.7% while the S&P 500 has added 1.5%. The Nasdaq-100 has advanced by 3.3% on the week so far on optimism that the U.S. could avoid defaulting on its debt ceiling.

“An actual breach of the U.S. debt ceiling would likely cause severe damage to the U.S. economy,” said the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) in a blog released earlier this month...

Taco Bell, Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Partner to Restore Habitats 

With bold ambitions to operate 10,000 restaurants in the coming years, Taco Bell acknowledges its responsibility to balance global expansion with intentional impact. In pursuit of parent company Yum! Brands' broader climate efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50% by 2030, Taco Bell is taking bigger steps to improve the environmental effects of its supply chain, especially for one of its top-selling ingredients. Taco Bell is now partnering with its long-time supplier Cargill and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation...

ANALYSIS: Beef Cold Storage Stocks Dip Below 5-Year Average

In the latest monthly USDA cold storage report, total frozen beef stocks as of the end of March were reported at 481 million pounds, down 3.9% from February. Beef stocks were 10.3% below the year-ago figure of 535.8 million pounds, which was a seasonal all-time high. 

This drawdown is in line with seasonal trends, which indicate that cold storage stocks typically hit their annual lows during the summer months due to peak beef demand during the grilling season...

Bion and Dakota Valley Growers Announce LOI for Sustainable Beef Project

Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (OTC QB: BNET), a leader in advanced livestock waste treatment technology and premium sustainable beef, and Dakota Valley Growers, a cattle feeder near Bathgate, North Dakota, announced a letter of intent to develop a 15,000-head sustainable beef cattle feeding operation. Annual production from the facility is expected to be approximately 42,500 head of premium sustainable beef cattle.

The Dakota Valley Growers (DVG) project will have indoor barns to ensure the cattle are adding protein instead of burning calories... 

USDA Cattle: April 1 On-Feed Data -4.4%  from Year-Ago 

The number of cattle in U.S. feedyards with a capacity of 1,000 or more head as of April 1 was down 4.4% from a year ago, according to USDA's monthly on-feed report released Friday afternoon.

The report showed the on-feed number about 0.8 percentage point above the average guess of analysts participating in the Urner Barry survey, which was 94.8%. 

Placements in March were reported at 99.4% of a year ago, compared with the average guess of 95.2%. The range of the guesses for placements was 1%...

April 1 Cattle on Feed Projected -5.2% on Year; March Placements -4.8%

-- March placements expected on avg 4.8% below year ago; guesses range 1% to 8.5% smaller

-- March marketings seen 1.1% below last year; month had same number of weekdays vs 2022

The average guess for the number of cattle in the nation’s feedyards as of April 1 in Urner Barry’s survey was 5.2% below a year ago.

The monthly on-feed report is scheduled for release at 3 p.m. eastern time Friday.

Placements of young cattle into the feedyards in March were...