Latest News From USDA

First-Half Cow Slaughter Could Be Largest Since 1996

As a result, beef supplies will be reduced for several years.

Corn Prices Continues to Stem Beef Cattle Market

Even with USDA's higher forecast of 2013 beef production, lower expected corn yields and higher prices continue to stem growth in the U.S. beef herd.

Drought Monitor Reflects Slight Nationwide Improvement

Still reflects more than half of continuous U.S. covered by drought.

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Grazing Improvement Act Passes House Natural Resources Committee

The House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources today advanced the Grazing Improvement Act to improve the livestock grazing permitting processes on managed lands.

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Beef Prices Keep Climbing, Other Food Prices More Stable

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

FY 2014 Beef Board Budget Approved

National checkoff leaders this week approved a Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) budget of about $40.7 million for Fiscal 2014, reflecting a 5.6 percent decrease from the Fiscal 2013 amended budget, amid continued tight supplies and an expected slowing of cow slaughter.

NCBA Responds to USDA's Final Rule on Mandatory COOL

“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.

Drought Monitor: Drought Worsens Across Texas

Texas moves backwards, with 12.88% of the state covered by exceptional drought.

NWS 6-10 Day: More Favorable Conditions for Midwest Planting

Forecast calls for below-normal precip for bulk of Corn Belt.

Further Drought Improvement Noted Across Midwest

Drought Monitor reflects 60.21% of the nation still covered by some form of drought.

Cattle on Feed Report: Bearish

The report showed Placements well above expectations.

Cattle on Feed Down 5 Percent

While the overall cattle inventory was down, placements were higher than expected.

Extended Outlook Warm Across Plains and Midwest

Seasonal Drought Outlook a broken record for Southern Plains.

Drought Monitor Reflects Further Drought Improvement

But a majority of the country is still covered by some form of drought.

USDA: Near-Term Precip Key for Rebuilding Cattle Herds

Rains the next two months set the stage for grazing season.

One-Third of U.S. Drought-Free

Drought monitor notes that 34.96% of contiguous U.S. is drought-free -- little changed from last week.

NASS Suspends Certain Reports Due to Sequestration

July Cattle Report is on the list...

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U.S. Cattle Herd Continues to Contract

Record-high feed prices will stick around most of this year, which will continue to put the squeeze on an already suffering livestock industry.

Weekly Corn & Wheat Export Sales Above Expectations

Highlights of USDA's Weekly Export Sales Report.

Sequestration Imperils Agriculture Programs, Vilsack Warns

The U.S. agriculture secretary delivered that message Thursday at his department’s Agricultural Outlook Forum 2013.

Cattle on Feed Report: Marketings Seen Above Year-Ago

On Feed seen well below year-ago levels.

Glauber Expects Return to Normal Yields in 2013-14

USDA's Chief Economist highlights expectations for record corn and soybean production in 2013.

Drought Monitor Reflects Minor Improvement

Western Corn Belt still covered by drought.

Cattle Inventory Report Reflects Herd Expansion

Report is viewed as bullish and points to a cycle high in 2013.

Drought Monitor: Little Change Across Upper Plains and Midwest

Slight improvement noted in the South.

CPC: Drought to Persist West of Mississippi River

But more drought relief coming to the eastern Corn Belt.

Soybean Sales Exceed Expectations

Highlights of USDA's Weekly Export Sales Report.

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Corn Price Rally Fed By Supply Concerns, Demand Outlook

Persistent drought conditions in sections of the U.S., rain in Argentina and export levels all are contributing factors.

Soybean Export Sales Top Expectations & Week-Ago

Highlights of USDA's Weekly Export Sales Report.

Ukraine's wheat harvest is set to surge as crop escapes winter-kill..
Drought Makes Wheat Attractive for Feed

USDA projects the feeding of wheat will account for 12.7% of total use of U.S. wheat during 2012, up from the 9.1% average.

Drought's Effects Linger for Beef Cow Herds, Ag Economist Says

Poor weather conditions have resulted in high feed costs and big financial losses, Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt says.

Cattle on Feed Report: Placements Lighter Than Expected

Cattle on Feed Report highlights.

Cattle on Feed Report: Feedlot Supplies Slightly Tighter Than Expected

Report gets a slightly positive read by the market.

CPC: Midwest and Plains Drought to 'Persist'

Above-normal temps expected across the bulk of the country on average the remainder of the year.

Corn Harvest Advances to 26% Complete

USDA crop progress and condition report highlights.

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Feed Demand for Corn Deteriorating

USDA dropped feed usage by 725 million bushels in its August WASDE, and some expect the department to lower feed demand further on Wednesday.

Livestock Coalition Urges Waiver of RFS Because of Drought

Petition asks EPA for one-year waiver of ethanol production mandate.

USDA Adjusts Current Programs to Help Livestock Producers

The assistance uses the Secretary of Agriculture's existing authority to help create and encourage flexibility within four USDA programs.

Cattle on Feed Report Expected to Show a Surge in Placements

Expectations for Friday's Cattle on Feed Report.

Cattle on Feed Report: Bullish

Report showed tightest feedlot inventories since Sept. 2011.

Cattle on Feed Placements 15% Lower

Analysts predicted feedyard placements to be lower but April placements totaled 1.52 million, 15 percent below 2011.

Report Snapshot: Prospective Plantings & Grain Stocks

Key figures from this morning's reports.

Coalition of Governors Joins Forces to Support Beef Industry

They want to set the record straight about lean finely textured beef and tour a BPI plant.

Attache Sees Record 2012 Australian Beef Production

Expects beef exports to increase in 2012, although at a slower rate than production.

Vilsack Announces New CRP Initiative to Restore Grasslands, Wetlands and Wildlife

Producers will have the opportunity to enroll 1 million acres.

Cattle on Feed Report: Bullish

Report showed all categories friendly compared to expectations.

USDA Expects 2% Increase in Beef Imports in 2012

Says growth in imports will largely be determined by weather in Australia.