WLI

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in all major cattle feeding regions through Monday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices last week were $3 higher in the Southern Plains at $120, mostly $5 higher in Nebraska at mostly $123, $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $123-$125 and at $120-$123 in Colorado, where there was no established market the previous week. Dressed prices were $5 higher in Nebraska at $195 and $6-$7 higher in the western Corn Belt at $195-$196.

Cattle futures closed narrowly mixed on Monday, firming after the profit-taking selloff that ended last week. Lower front-month Corn futures prices added support.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 31¢ lower, except for an average of 9¢ higher in three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 32¢ higher, except for 25¢ lower in spot Apr.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 76¢ lower Monday afternoon at $271.41/cwt. Select was $2.09 higher at $266.16.

Corn futures closed 3¢ to 8¢ lower through the front three contracts and then mostly fractionally higher to 1¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 12¢ to 21¢ lower through the front six contracts, and then mostly 5¢ to 9¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed slightly lower Monday, but basically tread water as investors await key inflation data and the beginning of quarterly corporate earnings reports this week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 55 points lower. The S&P 500 closed fractionally lower. The NASDAQ was down 50 points.

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Although COVID disruptions continue to hamper U.S. beef exports, in terms of year-over-year performance, Derrell Peel, Extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University points out they were 15.6% more for volume last year, compared to five years earlier.

“Beef exports have evolved significantly in recent years, in a very dynamic environment of global politics and trade policies, direct and indirect impacts of animal disease outbreaks and growing beef preferences and consumption,” Peel explains, in his weekly market comments.

Japan and South Korea continue to be key, growing market destinations.

“Japan has been the largest U.S. beef export market since 2013 (and was for many years prior to 2004), with the 2020 market share at 28% of total exports,” Peel says.  “Beef exports to Japan grew at an average rate of 9.7% annually from 2016 to 2020 with peak exports in 2018 and a decrease in 2019 before rebounding modestly in 2020, despite pandemic disruptions.” 

South Korea became the second largest U.S. beef export market in 2016. It continues to be the fastest, most consistently growing U.S. market, according to Peel.

“Beef exports to South Korea have increased by an average of 17.4% in the last five years, pushing the country to a nearly 23% market share in 2020, just behind Japan,” Peel says. “In fact, in the first two months of 2021, beef exports to South Korea are up 15.1% percent year over year, pushing South Korea just ahead of Japan as the number one beef export market so far this year.”

Consider China and Hong Kong together—essentially a single market—and it represents the third largest U.S. beef export market, accounting for 11.5% of market share last year, Peel says.

Considering countries separately, however, Mexico is currently the third largest export market for U.S. beef. Peel explains U.S. beef exports to Mexico declined 24.7% year over year in 2020, pressured by that nation’s faltering economy and pandemic impacts.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from a standstill to limited on light demand through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend there were some trades in the western Corn Belt at $125/cwt. on a live basis and at $196 in the beef.

In established trade for the week, live prices were $3 higher in the Southern Plains at $120, $5-$7 higher in Nebraska at $125, $5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $123-$125 and $4-$7 higher in Colorado (compared to two weeks earlier) at $120-$123. Dressed prices were $5-$7 higher at $195.

Week to week on Thursday, the five-area direct average steer prices was $4.42 higher at $121.87. The average dressed steer price was $195.21, which was $6.53 higher.

Cattle futures closed lower Friday, amid active trade and likely profit taking from the strong week-to-week gains.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of $1.10 lower (22¢ to $2.45 lower), except for 62¢ higher in the back contract.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.55 lower (80¢ lower toward the back to $2.37 lower in spot Apr), except for 45¢ higher in the back contract.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.67 higher Friday afternoon at $272.17/cwt. Select was 24¢ higher at $264.07.

Estimated total cattle slaughter the week ending Apr. 10 was 641,000 head, according to USDA, which was 32,000 head more than the previous week. Year-to-date estimated total cattle slaughter of 9.0 million head is 184,000 head fewer (-2.0%) than the same time last year. Estimated year-to-date beef production of 7.54 billion lbs. is 54.2 million lbs. less (-0.7%) than a year earlier.

Grain futures were mixed Friday, reacting to USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (see below).

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher, except for 2¢ lower in spot May.

Soybean futures closed 9¢ to 12¢ lower through the front six contracts, and then mostly 2¢ to 7¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Friday. Support included optimism about the pace of domestic COVID-19 vaccinations and further reopening of the economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 297 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 31 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 70 points.

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Logistical challenges continued to hamper U.S. beef exports in February, but they should increase as the year progresses, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Beef exports in February were 8% less in volume year over year at 103,493 metric tons (mt), according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. Beef export value was 2% less at $669.5 million. The decline was due mainly to variety meat exports.

For the year, through February, U.S. beef exports are 5% less in volume and 2% less in value at $1.32 billion.

U.S. pork export volume in February was 12% less than a year earlier. Value was 13% less at $629.4 million.

“While February exports were in line with expectations, the results don’t fully reflect global demand for U.S. red meat,” says Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Logistical challenges, including congestion at some U.S. ports, are still a significant headwind. Tight labor supplies at the plant level continue to impact export volumes for certain products, including some variety meat items and labor-intensive muscle cuts.”

Halstrom notes that the flow of exports through U.S. ports is showing some gradual improvement as COVID-impacted crews move closer to full strength, but remains a serious concern for the U.S. agricultural sector.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade ranged from a standstill to limited on light demand through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

For the week so far, live prices are $3 higher in the Southern Plains at $120/cwt., $5 higher in Nebraska at $123, $3-$5 higher in the western Corn Belt at $121-$125 and $4-$7 higher in Colorado (compared to two weeks earlier) at $120-$123. Dressed trade is $5-$7 higher at $195.

Feeder Cattle futures closed mostly slightly lower Thursday, pressured by the surge in Corn futures prices.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 52¢ lower (37¢ to $1.07 lower), except for an average of 42¢ higher in the back two contracts.

Live Cattle futures mostly extended gains, with continued support from cash prices and wholesale beef values, as well as expanding open interest. 

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 56¢ higher (35¢ to $1.00 higher), except for an average of 17¢ lower in two nearby contracts.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.19 higher Thursday afternoon at $270.50/cwt. Select was $8.64 higher at $263.83.

The average dressed steer weight the week ending March 27 was 899 lbs., according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. That was 2 lbs. lighter than the previous week, but 8 lbs. heavier than the same week last year. The average dressed heifer weight of 830 lbs. was 6 lbs. lighter week to week but 5 lbs. heavier than a year earlier.

Front-month grain futures closed sharply higher Thursday amid likely positioning ahead of USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates due out Wednesday.

Corn futures closed 10¢ to 19¢ higher in the front three contracts, 8¢ to 9¢ higher in the next four and then mostly 3¢ to 4¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher, except for 6¢ higher in the front two contracts.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed higher Thursday, led by tech stocks.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 57 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 17 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 140 points.

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“For the economy and rural industries, there will be no going back to pre-COVID conditions. A transformed policy environment and awakened commodity markets are making way for a whole new operating environment, according to the new Quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange (CBKE).

“The policy focus in Washington is shifting from crisis management to building for the future,” says Dan Kowalski, CBKE vice president. “And the outcome of the president’s infrastructure plan will have substantial implications for rural water, power and broadband providers. Hundreds of billions of dollars in funding would reshape these industries and intensify the current focus on climate resilience and social equity.”

In terms of economic growth, CBKE analysts explain consensus forecasts point to 7% U.S. GDP growth this year, the fastest rate of expansion since 1984. They note the U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations as stimulus funds fuel robust consumer spending.

On the other side of the ledger, those analysts expect inflation to increase.

“Any inflation that results from resurgent demand will be in addition to the base-effect inflation that we are certain to have in coming months,” according to the CBKE report. “Inflation is typically measured in year-over-year terms, and base effects occur when inflation readings are skewed because of price anomalies in the prior year. In 2020, prices for many goods and services dove in the middle months of the year as demand suddenly dropped. Those 2020 price declines will widen year-over-year inflation over the next couple of quarters, and new upward price pressure should push headline inflation above 3%. We expect this burst of inflation to be short-lived as the economy recalibrates, but we could experience inflation over 2% well into 2022.”

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade and demand were moderate in the Southern Plains through Wednesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Live prices were $3 higher than last week at $120/cwt.

In Nebraska, trade was light on light to moderate demand. Although too few to trend, there were some live sales at $120-$123. Prices there last week were at $118 on a live basis and at $190 in the beef.

Also too few to trend, early live prices in Colorado were at $120-$123. The last established market was two weeks ago at $116.

Last week, in the western Corn Belt, prices were at $118-$120 on a live basis and at $188-$190 dressed.

Cattle feeders offered 4,422 head in Central Stockyards’ weekly Fed Cattle Exchange auction. Of those, 3,277 head sold, all from Texas and Nebraska and all on a live weight basis. Steer prices ranged from $122.00 to $122.75/cwt. in Nebraska and from $120.00 to $120.75 in Texas. Heifer prices ranged from $122.00 to $122.75 in Nebraska and from $120.50 to $121.00 in Texas.

Cattle futures extended gains Wednesday, supported by higher cash fed cattle prices and the continued increase in wholesale beef values. 

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 49¢ higher.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.11 higher (90¢ to $1.60 higher).

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $3.54 higher Wednesday afternoon at $266.31/cwt. Select was $3.89 higher at $255.19.

Corn futures closed mostly 1¢ to 3¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 10¢ lower through the front four contracts, and then mostly fractionally mixed.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed little changed Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 16 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 6 points higher. The NASDAQ was down 9 points.

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Agricultural producers are growing more optimistic, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. It rose 12 points month to month in March to 177, the highest level since October 2020.

“Even with a rebound in crop production in 2021, it looks like carryover supplies of corn and soybeans will remain tight, providing producers confidence that crop prices will remain strong this year,” says James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. “A rebound in the U.S. economy this summer, combined with expectations for a smaller pork supply, is also providing some optimism in the livestock sector.”

The Index of Future Expectations increased 16 points in March to 164 after declining four consecutive months. The Index of Current Conditions rose 2 points to 202, tying the record high.

Producers’ perspective about their operations’ financial position continues to improve, as well. The Farm Financial Performance Index was 125 in March, up from the record low of 55 in April of last year. In turn, that optimism appears to be fueling short-term optimism for land values.

The Short-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rose for the fourth consecutive month, up 3 points to 148. The Long-Term Farmland Value Index, matched its previous high, up 4 points to 157.

Producer optimism about U.S.-China trade continued to decline. In March, 31% of survey respondents expected the trade dispute to be resolved in a way that’s beneficial to U.S. agriculture. That’s down 50 points from early last year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in Nebraska and the Texas Panhandle through Tuesday afternoon. Elsewhere, trade ranged from limited to mostly inactive on light demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

Last week, live prices were at $117/cwt. in the Southern Plains, $118 in Nebraska and $118-$120 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed prices were at $190 in Nebraska and at $188-$190 in the western Corn Belt.

Cattle futures closed mainly higher Tuesday, buoyed by the bullish rise in wholesale beef values. 

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 30¢ higher (5¢ to $1.35 higher), except for 15¢ lower in the back contract

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 99¢ higher (2¢ to $1.55 higher), except for unchanged in May.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $4.10 higher Tuesday afternoon at $262.77/cwt. Select was $1.44 higher at $251.30.

Corn futures closed mostly 4¢ to 5¢ lower, except for 1¢ higher at either end of the board.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 6¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices edged lower Tuesday, amid some likely profit taking and rally fatigue.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 96 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 3 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 7 points. 

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Economic light continues to shine brighter at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

“Thanks to the ingenuity of the scientific community, hundreds and millions of people are being vaccinated, and this is expected to power recoveries in many countries later this year,” explained Gita Gopinath, Chief Economist and Director of the Research Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “We are now projecting a stronger recovery for the global economy compared with our January forecast.”

Specifically, IMF projects global GDP this year at 6.0% and 4.4% in 2022. That’s from the organization’s latest World Economic Outlook.

“The upgrades in global growth for 2021 and 2022 are mainly due to upgrades for advanced economies, particularly to a sizable upgrade for the United States that is expected to grow at 6.4% this year. This makes the United States the only large economy projected to surpass the level of GDP it was forecast to have in 2022 in the absence of this pandemic,” said Gopinath.