MARKETING...
In the
Cattle Markets
Cow prices remain strong.
Although cow prices have declined during the last couple of weeks, prices are still more than $10 per hundredweight (cwt.) higher than last year at this time and about $5 per cwt. higher than the 2004-2008 average. Weekly cow prices have been averaging several dollars above 2008, which was the previous record-high year. If that trend continues, 2010 may set a record for annual cow prices.
It is interesting that higher prices are occurring in spite of continuing high cow slaughter numbers. In the first half of 2010, total cow slaughter was up more than 4% from last year's elevated levels, and up about 20% from the 2004-2008 average. Beef cow slaughter was up about 13% over last year, but dairy cow slaughter was down about 5%. Read more.
Cattle Finishing Net Returns
Michael Langemeier, Kansas State University (K-State) ag economist, explores the cost and returns of feeding cattle, including a historical look at the net returns for finishing steers, fed cattle prices in comparison to breakeven prices, and the cost of gain for feeding steers. Click here, to download “Cattle Finishing Net Returns,” part of the Cattle Finishing Return series, as a pdf file.
Weekly Feeder Steer Price Forcasts
Quality Cast
A farm tour with The brand that pays.®
Jesse and Gayle Bontecou recently welcomed more than 200 chefs, butchers and sales professionals to their Millbrook, N.Y., Angus farm. The visitors learned about the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand — from how the cattle are raised to the science-based specifications to cutting and merchandising the beef so as to drive sales. Increasing CAB beef sales wasn't the only goal of this tour. Click here to listen as we chat with the Bontecous about how hosting an event like this can impact the rancher's bottom line, too.
Exports Strong
U.S. pork, beef exports post solid gains in May.
U.S. pork and beef exports continued their strong 2010 performance in May, collectively growing 25% in value vs. 2009 and 8% over April 2010, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). At $769.5 million, U.S. red meat exports reached their highest monthly value since October 2008.
For producers, the gain in export value per animal processed in May was impressive: $53.10 per animal on the pork side — nearly 30% higher than the $40.90 recorded in May 2009. For beef, export value equated to $160.30 per steer and heifer slaughtered compared to $122 at this time last year — an increase of about 31%. Read more.
Sara Snider
The Source
Don't let up
You've calved the cows. They've raised the calves. It's time to market. Your work with this year's calf crop is almost done. Or is it?
If the calves are still on your operation, there are still ways to add value to them and capture more dollars when they sell. Read more.
AngusSource Enters July with a Bang
Video auctions feature AngusSource® cattle this month.
The American Angus Association's USDA Process Verified Program (PVP) is gearing up for what looks to be a great month.
AngusSource and Gateway calves have sold in several video auction markets during July, including the Western Video Market sale, July 12-15. The sale featured an impressive 85 lots totaling more than 8,300 head of AngusSource and Gateway calves from 43 consignors. Read more.
Alert: GIPSA Livestock Marketing Rule
July 20, 2010
Should USDA Allow More Time For Comment
On Changes to Livestock Marketing?
Some industry organizations say yes. Some say Aug. 23 allows plenty of time for the industry to comment. Bottom line, if you haven't heard about the rule on livestock marketing proposed in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), it may be time to do your homework. Whether for or against, most in the industry would agree the proposed rule, announced June 18, would have a large impact on the way livestock are marketed in the U.S. Read more.
Angus Calendar
To view the Angus Calendar, a complete list of
Angus sales, click here.