Sort & Cull

Given the snowstorms that crippled transportation, weekly sale barn auctions and consequently hindered feeder cattle placements in January, it should be common knowledge there were higher

I wish I could come to you early this week and share that packers are going to increase processing speeds to keep up with increasing consumer demand; however, that simply isn't the case.

Will chain speeds increase soon? I find it much more likely packers will keep chain speeds reduced so cash prices don't trade higher and supplies of market-ready cattle slowly start to build back up.

With harsh winter weather conditions prohibiting sales across the majority of the nation for a full week in January, it's hard to believe placements were only down 7% in Friday's Cattle on Feed report.

With the beef cow herd dramatically reduced, some feeder cattle buyers have already begun to buy grass calves.

Declining carcass weight is likely the reason packers were willing to buy Kansas-based cattle last week for $4 to $5 more than the previous week's weighted average while they were only willing to advance prices in Texas by $3.

During this time of excellent beef demand, the announcement of even fewer beef cows in the market will likely grab traders' attention and positively impact the market. I encourage you to tune into our comments on Wednesday regarding the inventory report and be ready for the...

I've cherished the time that I've gotten to spend with my family over the last couple of months, but I look forward to jumping back in the saddle and covering the markets in 2024 as the year ahead is bound to be full of opportunities.

The week ending Jan. 12 saw winter storms, bitter cold conditions, reduced slaughter, higher boxed beef prices, but lower prices of cash cattle. Specs are growing impatient, but cattle numbers aren't getting any bigger.

Speculators are not convinced the rebound in February cattle futures will continue, but so far, cash prices are holding firm.

Tuesday's USDA report is apt to show a second week of negotiated cattle prices gaining on formula, an encouraging sign of packer demand returning to the country.

The panic that set off a seven-week sell-off in February cattle prices appears to have eased. It's now up to the market to find a new trading range.

While senators push for a congressional vote to block the rule allowing the importation of beef from Paraguay, the secretaries of Agriculture from eight states send their own letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also raising their concerns as well.

After a sharp, seven-week selloff in February cattle prices, hints of support finally started to show in the latest week.

Rumors are flying around social media, trying to explain the sharp sell-off in cattle and feeder prices. CFTC data on trader positions help us understand which rumors have merit and which don't.

February live cattle posted their eighth weekly loss in the past eleven weeks, the largest correction in prices since 2020. In an unusual twist, bearish specs have been covering their short positions.

At the end of Black Friday's short post-holiday session, February live cattle was marked down 13% from a September high, an unexpected discount on a day known for bargain sales.

February live cattle prices showed better support in the week ending Nov. 17, but it's fair to say traders were nervous heading into Friday's On-Feed report.

February live cattle prices fell over $10 in the week ending Nov. 10, and cash prices were also lower, but not as much. Demand concerns, plus a shakedown of bullish spec positions, are the mostly likely culprits.

In the November WASDE report released Thursday morning, beef production forecasts were increased significantly for 2024, but several other contributing factors led to a bearish market freefall in the cattle complex, according to DTN analysts.