Latest News From MARKETS

China is so desperate for good beef that Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest will be taking sample parcels of steak in his luggage on his next trip.

Beef producers from four Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) member countries have again demanded that any TPP agreement be a high quality deal that eliminates all tariffs on beef.

Mexico expands imports as Vilsack joins Mexico's Secretary of Agriculture and Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food in Mexico City.

JBS SA, the world’s biggest meat producer, reported an unexpected 69 percent decline in first- quarter profit after currency-hedging costs partly erased gains from its poultry businesses.

Beef exports have continued to rise at a rapid rate, while domestic demand has been steady.

The Mexican government is in the process of making regulatory changes that allow for import of U.S. beef and beef products derived from cattle of any age.

“NCBA is extremely disappointed this final audit report was not released in time for a full review, prior to the comment deadline on the proposed rule,” said Bob McCan, NCBA president and Victoria, Texas cattleman.

Rain and cold temps are expected to keep many farmers out of the field this week.

More than 60 U.S. agricultural organizations focusing on expanding exports – including the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) – were awarded funds by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).

Country of origin labeling (COOL) has been vilified for quite some time; an end might be in sight.

A rebuilding cattle herd and foreign demand have taken the beef industry to prices not seen since 1987.

Exports continue to 'beef' up a record cattle market.

The U.S. and Japan still face “considerable” differences in reaching an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership regional trade pact two weeks before President Barack Obama pays a state visit.

Beef exports are setting a great pace to start the second quarter of 2014.

U.S. beef shipments to Japan may drop after the largest Asian buyer agreed with Australia to begin reducing import tariffs as early as next year, Japan’s agriculture ministry said.

In response to the announcement of a Bilateral Trade Agreement reached between Australia and Japan, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bob McCan, a Victoria, Texas cattleman issued the following statement.

Japan and Australia reached broad agreement on bilateral trade after seven years of wrangling, in a pact that will lower or eliminate tariffs.

Rabobank has published a new report on the global beef industry, forecasting continued strong market fundamentals and continued strong global demand led by the Chinese market.

U.S. Livestock Genetics Export (USLGE) has received funds which will be available to private breeders, companies, or cooperatives interested in promoting livestock, semen, or embryo sales in international markets through December 31, 2014.

The intensity of the global competition for red meat market share was brought home vividly for a dozen U.S. leaders of state and national agriculture organizations who recently completed a visit to the Middle East and Europe sponsored by USMEF.

U.S. beef exports opened the new year on a positive note, but market conditions suggest that 2014 could be a challenging year, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by USMEF, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program.

Canada and South Korea concluded negotiations on a free-trade deal that will give more market access for Canadian beef producers and phase out tariffs on cars made by Korean companies such as Hyundai Motor Co.

Exports of U.S. beef closed 2013 by eclipsing the $6 billion mark for the first time, setting a new annual value record.

The winter weather across the nation didn’t allow enough trade to really test the markets.

Beef producers from the four largest beef producing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) member countries continue to advocate that any TPP agreement must deliver on the 2011 TPP Ministers’ position of eliminating tariffs and other barriers to trade.

It was announced last month that McDonald’s is going to invest in sustainable beef. While a clear definition has not been entirely outlined attendees of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattlemen’s College got a little better idea of what to expect.

Beneficial winter precip is falling on the Central & Southern Plains

Recently, five such social media journalists traveled to the United States as guests of checkoff contractor U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)-Korea to get a firsthand look at the American beef industry, from ranches to research and development facilities.

Despite record prices, the cattle industry continues to struggle with the drought’s long coattails.

A North Dakota company that has sent thousands of the state's winter-hardy cows to Kazakhstan since 2010 has yet to ink a deal this year with the oil-rich country.

Listen to closing market commentary from your editors.

The beef export market remains on an upward trend while pork exports are down slightly.

Russia wants to rebuild its beef industry and state officials from Kansas, Montana and South Dakota visited the country in the hopes of selling genetics.

Attorneys have asked that a minimum bid of $12.75 million be set for an idled South Dakota beef packing plant at an auction scheduled for Dec. 5.

South Korea halted beef imports from a U.S. unit of JBS SA after finding traces of the feed additive zilpaterol in a consignment of the meat.

While China’s demand for beef has been growing at a reasonable pace, production has been stagnant since 2006.

Merck voluntarily pulls beta-agonist from U.S. market after Tyson refuses to purchase Zilmax-fed cattle.

Feeder cattle prices are called a “runaway” this week. Declining corn prices has prompted cattle feeders to bid up yearling cattle prices to dizzying heights, which is great news if you’re a seller.

Calves and feeder cattle are hot commodities, and market fundamentals going forward suggest that trend will continue.

The revised USDA regulations are intended to reduce consumer confusion and allow cattle producers the ability to differentiate their product from foreign beef.

U.S. Cattle on Feed report shows cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with steady domestic beef demand.

The latest livestock trade data indicates that the Mexican cattle industry is undergoing rapid and dynamic change, which will affect cattle and beef flows between the U.S. and Mexico.

Fed cattle markets are most concerned now with current beef production and movement of animals through the feedlots this summer and fall.

Many U.S. commodities may be slapped with tariffs if the WTO approves the list.

Food price inflation should be low this year, except when it comes to beef prices.

“We are deeply disappointed with this short-sighted action by the USDA," says Scott George, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president, after USDA's rule on mandatory country of origin labeling.

Changes in Mexican domestic beef consumption and beef trade have significant implications for the U.S. cattle industry in the coming years.

Highlights of USDA's Weekly Export Sales Report.

January pork and beef trade data are illustrative the opportunities & challenges ahead.

Highlights of USDA's Weekly Export Sales Report.