Pork Business
Cattle and hog harvest rates were lower last week with higher cash prices paid to farmers and feeders. Margins for both beef and pork packers are trending lower.
Cattle feeders saw their margins shrink $70 per head last week as a modest increase in market-ready supplies led packers to sharply cut their negotiated purchases.
Grilling season set to kick off as both packers and cattle feeders operating with profitable margins. Pork producers continue the struggle to reach profitability.
Cattle feeders experience largest average profits in seven years as packer margins dip into the red.
Cattle feeders saw average profits of more than $300 per head last week while pork producers found average losses of about $13 per head.
Cattle feeders sold more cattle last week than any week this year and at the highest price in history. Pork producers saw modest profits.
Profit margins for cattle feeders and packers continue pacing in opposite directions as shrinking supplies of market-ready cattle drive negotiated cash prices higher.
Packers have navigated through the tightest supplies of the season while maintaining profitability. Now, supplies are anticipated to increase seasonally which could swing more leverage in their favor.
Cash cattle prices declined last week for the first time in a month, but wholesale prices moved higher for the fifth consecutive week. Prices for yearling feeder cattle placed on feed topped $200 per cwt.
If a seasonal price decline develops as anticipated, this year’s starting point for cattle feeders is the best in a decade. Pork producers notch their second week of modest profits.
Wholesale beef prices continue to support packer margins even as negotiated cash cattle trade well-above the five-year average. Pork producers enjoy a market rally that has lifted margins out of the red.
During a bilateral meeting on Thursday, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai discussed with Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier various issues concerning energy and biotech corn.
Erik Lichtenberg, University of Maryland professor, says Congress could reorient farm bill conservation funds for climate change, but it could cut into their support.
“Pork producers need the freedom to operate without worrying about excessive government regulation tripping them up, and that’s exactly what this bill will do,” says Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa).
This year, U.S. pork exports to Chile have rebounded, increasing 30% through April year over year, reports the U.S. Meat Export Federation, fueled by retail and foodservice features.
Bridging the gap between the youth show ring experience and production ag is crucial for creating a pipeline of skilled and knowledgeable individuals who can contribute to the ag industry, says Rebecca Keel Stack.
Representatives from the U.S., Mexico and Canada will meet in Cancun, Mexico this week to discuss a series of disputes, including Mexican energy and biotech policies and Canadian dairy barriers.
Two new board members began their service with SHIC, including Joseph Dykhuis, a Michigan pork producer representing the NPPC on the SHIC Board, and Pete Thomas, DVM, with Iowa Select Farms, in an at-large position.
The National Drought Mitigation Center estimates 67% of corn and 60% of soybeans are still considered to be in drought, a slight improvement from last week when drought covered 70% of corn and 63% of soybeans.
Kelsey Hammers, a Ph.D. student at the University of Minnesota, is studying the impact of high zinc supplementation to gestating sows on sow and piglet performance, specifically the effects on piglet mortality.
Paul Schadegg, with Farmers National Company, shares his perspective on agricultural real estate demand, the impact of interest rates on the market and the outlook for land values later this year.
Adequate colostrum intake after birth helps promote piglet survival. As litter sizes increase, the demand for colostrum proportionately increases to achieve this desired intake. Here are three ways to improve intake.
Beijing on Monday announced export controls on gallium and germanium. Now the Biden administration is set to restrict Chinese companies’ access to U.S. cloud-computing services that use AI chips.
The USDA’s June Hogs and Pigs report holds some slightly bearish surprises; however, most are fairly small deviations from pre-report expectations, says Jason Franken, ag economist at Western Illinois University.
As recent as March 20, we had $15-per-head profits staring at us for the next 12 months in the futures markets. As it has turned out, this is one of the largest and quickest deterioration in markets I’ve experienced.
Following the release of the Hogs and Pigs inventory report in June, Lee Schulz, livestock marketing specialist with Iowa State University Extension, joined AgriTalk to discuss his initial thoughts on the data.
EPA plans to revise the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) regulation by Sept. 1. Both the EPA and the Corps of Engineers have regulatory duties for federal waterways.
Basic maintenance is always important and putting it off can cost you.
USDA released a few big surprises in the June acreage report, including a spike in corn acres and a large reduction in soybean acres. The agency also forecasts grain stocks below trade expectations.
Cash-traded weaner pig reported volume was above average this past week, with 61,800 head reported. Cash weaner pig reported prices were $11.43, up $0.51 per head from last week.