Recent Trends in Cattle and Hog Markets: A Closer Look at Profit Margins
As we approached the close of the week ending December 23, the agricultural sector, particularly cattle feeders, faced continued economic pressures, as detailed in the latest report from the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker. The average losses for cattle feeders were pegged at $110 per head, marking a trend of negative margins that has persisted for […]
South American Weather Improvements Affect U.S. Agricultural Markets
Date: January 2, 2024 The recent shift towards better weather in South America’s previously dry farming regions is casting a shadow over the United States grain and oilseed prices as we enter the new year. Noted market analyst, Don Roose from U.S. Commodities, points out that Brazil’s soybean crop has suffered considerable damage due to […]
Shifts in Beef Consumption in the United States: A Generational Perspective
The Decline of Beef’s Popularity In the early 1970s, beef was a staple in the American diet, symbolised by dishes like stroganoff, stews, and steak lunches. However, since its peak in 1975, when Americans consumed an average of nearly 90 pounds of beef per year, there has been a significant decline. Today, this figure has […]
Examining the Claims of Climate Neutrality in the Meat and Dairy Industries
Recent Studies and Industry Responses Recent publications in livestock science journals have sparked a debate over the possibility of the meat and dairy industries achieving climate neutrality, primarily through reducing methane emissions. A notable study suggests that the US dairy industry could reach climate neutrality by 2050 by annually reducing methane emissions by 1% to […]
A Little Longer Wait for New Organic Livestock Rules
Heads up, folks in the farming world! The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has just hit the pause button on the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) final rule that was set to roll out. Originally dropped into the public domain on November 2, this rule’s got a new ‘kick-off’ date: January 12. Why the delay, […]
USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report Aligns with Expectations
The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report from the USDA, as analysed by the Daily Livestock Report (DLR), has closely matched market predictions. The report indicates a sustained increase in sow productivity, with a nearly 4% rise in pigs saved per litter over the last three quarters. However, in a strategic move, producers have slowed […]
Meat’s Role in Health: A Deeper Dive into Its Nutritional Impact
When it comes to what we eat and our health, the plot keeps thickening. Now, let’s chat about meat. It’s been a protein hero for ages, but its role in our health and diseases like heart disease and some cancers is still a hot topic. The Heart of the Matter: Meat and Health For years, […]
US Farm Groups Sound Alarm Over Potential Shift in China’s Trading Status
A collective of American farm organisations, spearheaded by Farmers for Free Trade, recently voiced their unease regarding the possible repercussions for US agriculture if there’s a shift in China’s trading status. This concern arises as the US Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party deliberates over suggesting to Congress a modification in China’s Permanent Normal […]
Agricultural Groups Urge Prompt Action on US-Mexico Border Rail Closures
Agricultural organisations are urgently calling for the resumption of rail services at the US-Mexico border, as US and Mexican leaders prepare for discussions. The Ag Transportation Working Group, comprising nearly 50 agricultural organisations, has highlighted the significant disruptions caused by the Mexican rail closures, which have led to backlogs extending to the US/Canada border. Immediate […]
USDA to Proceed with Poultry Transparency Program Amid Congressional Calls for Delay
Despite pressure from U.S. lawmakers to postpone its start, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to launch its poultry contract transparency program as scheduled in early 202 The purpose of this document is to provide growers with essential information to understand the potential business outcomes of selling their animals to processors. This rule […]
