Industry Headlines

National feeder cattle report: Lower prices, wet conditions

Compared to last week, feeder cattle weighing over 700 lbs (which are mostly heavily supplemented long-calves with only a few scattered sales of true yearlings) sold steady to 2.00 lower. ... Full story.

National Beef stake sold to New York company for $868 million

Leucadia National Corp., a holding company with investments in casinos, copper mining, wineries and other businesses, agreed to pay $867.9 million for a 79-percent stake in National Beef Packing Co., LLC, the No. 4 U.S. beef processor. ... Full story.

Japanese beef import restrictions: Changes and implications

The beef industry took full note of media releases last week indicating Japan may soon relax the current restriction of imported U.S. beef being from animals under 21 months of age. ... Full story.

In the cattle markets: August Cattle on Feed

The industry continues to wring a remarkable volume of cattle out of the countryside. The August on-feed total is the third highest figure for August since this particular COF series began in 1996. ... Full story.

U.S. cattle imports from Mexico higher, but down from Canada

The increase in Mexican cattle imports thus far in the year is being offset by the decline in Canadian cattle imports. ... Full story.

Monday Market Sentiment: Cattle expected to continue streak lower

A survey of cattle-industry leaders suggests the average price for cash cattle will decrease $1.12 to $111.74 per cwt this week. ... Full story.

AgriLabs launches new cattle vaccine

Jim Glassford, AgriLabs VP of Marketing, announced the availability of the newest in AgriLabs line of cattle biological products. "MpB Guard provides producers with a safe, efficacious, 2-dose vaccine that aids in the prevention of respiratory disease and the potential loss caused by Mycolpasma bovis", he said. ... Full story.

Corn exports down 28 percent

Net sales of 613,400 MT were down 28 percent from the previous week and 43 percent from the prior 4-week average. Increases were reported for Japan (501,800 MT, including 95,100 MT switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 39,900 MT), Egypt (62,400 MT), Mexico (60,700 MT), Taiwan (22,700 MT), Colombia (16,600 MT, including 15,000 MT switched from unknown destinations and decreases of 2,800 MT), and Venezuela (15,000 MT). ... Full story.

Monday Market Sentiment: Industry leaders predict a slight decrease in cash cattle prices

A survey of cattle-industry leaders suggests the average price for cash cattle will decrease $0.02 to $121.54 per cwt this week. The Monday Market Sentiment is a forecast of the upcoming weekly cash trade (5-Area weighted average price) prices reported by the USDA. ... Full story.

Cautious optimism in fed-cattle market

Back in early 2010, with cattle trading in the low-$80 range and losing about $25 per head, Drovers/CattleNetwork posed the question: “What would you do for $90 cattle?" The market did improve, with prices peaking at around $100 per hundredweight last April and May. ... Full story.

Premium market snapshot: Choice/Select spread

This is the first installment in a new series produced through a partnership between Drovers/CattleNetwork and Certified Angus Beef, LLC. This series of market commentaries by Mark McCully, assistant vice president, supply development for Certified Angus Beef, focuses on trends in quality grading and in the production and sales of high-quality beef. ... Full story.

Monthly feeder cattle averages at record-highs

National average auction prices in Drovers/CattleNetwork’s 50-market auction summary database show record-high feeder cattle and calf prices for three consecutive months. The previous monthly average highs were recorded in May, 2005 and February, 2006. ... Full story.