Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) USDA released the May Cattle on Feed (COF) report this afternoon. The report contained some encouraging news for cattlemen. Basically, we had one percent fewer COF in May than most private analysts expected. These lower numbers were caused by larger marketings and lower placements than many had forecast. Other notables mentioned […]

According to the February trade data, U.S. beef exports were down 8% from a year ago, but were still nearly 16% above 2010’s. Large year-over-year export declines were reported for South Korea (down 38%), followed by Mexico (down 10%), Canada (down 9%), and Japan (down 7%). However, U.S. beef exports to China, Russia, and Vietnam […]

Katelyn McCulloch (Livestock Marketing Information Center) Hay stocks are short. Drought induced hay use was a market topic for much of the year, reflecting dire conditions especially in the Southern Plains. Perhaps the December 1 hay stocks wasn’t the most anticipated item by USDA-NASS this month, but it certainly put this year in perspective when […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) On Friday, January 27, USDA-NASS released the much anticipated Cattle Report. This annual report is the one report most cattle market forecasters hang their hat on because it contains all of the reported inventories of beef cows, dairy cows, total cattle and calves, as well as a whole host of other […]

Early November is not a time when many cattlemen consider selling calves for next summer or fall. Perhaps this year they should. The following chart depicts the CME Feeder Cattle futures closes for November 10, 2011. By reviewing the chart cattlemen should be able to see that favorable prices are projected for most of next […]