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Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in Nebraska and the western Corn Belt through Tuesday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service, with too few transactions to trend. Elsewhere, trade was at a standstill.

Feeder Cattle futures closed sharply lower Tuesday, pressured by more friendly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates for corn and soybeans (see below). Firmer wholesale beef values and hopes for a recovering domestic economy later in the year helped Live Cattle close mainly higher. The recent and continued increase in open interest helped, as did strength in Lean Hog futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 89¢ higher, except for 55¢ lower in the front three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.98 lower from 90¢ lower at the back to $2.92 lower toward the front.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was $1.45 higher Tuesday afternoon at $209.14/cwt. Select was $2.35 higher at $198.09.

Grain futures surged higher Tuesday, fueled by the friendly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (see below).

Corn futures closed 23¢ to 25¢ higher through the front four contracts, 12¢ to 16¢ higher through the next four and then mostly 5¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 41¢ to 47¢ higher through the front four contracts, 19¢ to 33¢ higher through the next four and then mostly 10¢ to 16¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices edged higher Tuesday, with trader expectations for additional economic stimulus apparently trumping escalating COVID-19 cases.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 60 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 1 point higher. The NASDAQ was up 36 points.

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USDA lowered its forecast for total red meat and poultry production for 2021, compared to the previous month’s estimate, according to the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). That’s based on expectations of lower beef, broiler, and turkey production more than offsetting higher pork production.

However, total estimated red meat and poultry production for 2021 is forecast 634 million lbs. more than in 2020 (+0.60%) at 107.10 billion lbs.

Beef production for 2021 is forecast at 27.19 billion lbs., which would be 32 million lbs. more (+0.11%) than in 2020, with higher non-fed cattle slaughter more than offsetting lighter expected cattle carcass weights.

WASDE estimated the average five-area direct fed steer price for last year at $108.51/cwt. Fed steer prices for 2021 are projected to be $113 in the first and second quarters, $115 in the third quarter and $120 in the fourth quarter for an annual average of $115.50, which was 50¢ more than the previous month’s forecast.

Among other WASDE highlights:

Corn: Outlook for the 2020-21 U.S. corn crop is for lower production, reduced corn used for ethanol, smaller feed and residual use and exports, and decreased ending stocks. Corn production is estimated at 14.182 billion bu., down 324 million on a lower yield and slight reduction in harvested area. With supply falling more than use, corn stocks were lowered 150 million bu. to 1.552 billion. The season-average corn price received by producers was raised 20¢ to $4.20/bu.

Soybeans: Soybean production was estimated at 4.135 billion bu., down 35 million bu., led by reductions for Minnesota, Iowa, and Kansas. Harvested area was estimated at 82.3 million acres, up slightly from the previous report. Yield was estimated at 50.2 bu./acre, down 0.5 bu. With higher imports and slightly higher beginning stocks, soybean supplies were down 14 million bu. from last month. The soybean crush forecast was raised 5 million bu. to 2.2 billion, reflecting improved prospects for soybean meal exports with a lower export forecast for Argentina. The soybean export forecast was raised 30 million to a record 2.23 billion bu. With lower supplies and increased use, ending stocks were projected at 140 million bu., down 35 million from the previous forecast.

The U.S. season-average soybean price for 2020-21 was projected 60¢ higher at $11.15/bu. The soybean meal price was projected $20 higher at $390/short ton. The soybean oil price was forecast 2.5¢ higher at 38.5¢/lb. 

Wheat: Outlook for 2020-21 U.S. wheat is for slightly smaller supplies, unchanged domestic use, higher exports, and lower ending stocks. Supplies were reduced on lower imports, which were decreased 5 million bu. to 120 million on a slower than expected pace. Exports were raised 10 million bu. to 985 million as higher white wheat exports were partially offset by lower Hard Red Winter (HRW) exports. Projected 2020-21 ending stocks were reduced 15 million bu. to 862 million, down 16% from last year. The season-average farm price for wheat was unchanged at $4.70/bu.   

Winter wheat: Planted area for harvest in 2021 was estimated at 32.0 million acres, up 5% from 2020 and up 2% from 2019, according to the Winter Wheat and Canola Seedings report. This represents the fourth lowest United States acreage on record. Seeding of the 2021 acreage was underway in early-September and was ahead of the five-year average pace. Throughout the season, planting and emergence progress remained ahead of the five-year average pace. Seeding was mostly complete by Nov. 15.

Hay Stocks: Stocks on farms Dec. 1 were 84.02 million tons, according to the latest USDA Crop Production report. That was 468,000 tons less (-0.55%) than the previous year.

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill through Monday afternoon, except for the western Corn Belt, where trade was mostly inactive on very light demand, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service.

Live prices last week were at $112/cwt. in the Southern Plains and Colorado, $110-$111 in Nebraska and $110 in the western Corn Belt. Dressed trade was at $176 in Nebraska and at $174-$177 in the western Corn Belt.

The average five-area direct fed steer price last week was $111.27/cwt. on a live basis, which was 24¢ less than the previous week. The average steer price in the beef was $175.79, which was 12¢ more than the previous week.

Cattle futures closed mostly lower Monday, with most of the declines in Live Cattle. Pressure included the inability to spark cash prices higher last week, as well as uneasiness ahead of the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates scheduled to be published Tuesday (see below). There was also likely pressure in the nearby contracts from the monthly Goldman roll, as that firm rolls forward underlying futures contracts in its excess return index portfolio, contracts set to expire in the next month.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 49¢ lower, except for 7¢ higher in three contracts.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 15¢ lower except for an average of 12¢ higher in the front two contracts.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 89¢ higher Monday afternoon at $207.69/cwt. Select was 95¢ lower at $195.74.

Corn futures closed 3¢ to 4¢ lower through the front three contracts and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

Soybean futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ lower through Aug ‘21 and then mostly 12¢ to 14¢ lower.

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Major U.S. financial indices closed lower Monday, with little momentum one direction or the other.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 89 points lower. The S&P 500 closed 25 points lower. The NASDAQ was down 165 points. t

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“The corn futures rally is following soybeans higher, and cash has struggled to keep pace, widening the basis for this time of year. Although exports have been strong, the fundamentals are not currently holding ending stocks tight enough to justify $5 corn,” say analysts with the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC). “Still, there seems little to move the futures lower ahead of U.S. plantings and harvest in South America.”

In the latest Livestock Monitor, LMIC analysts explain the last time nearby Corn futures prices were closing in on $5/bu. was in May of 2014.

“Corn prices at the farm, as reported by USDA-NASS during the 2013-14 crop year ending on Aug. 31, 2014 averaged $4.46/bu. Nearby corn futures finished August 2014 at $3.59, a $1.50 decline in about three months. A record large corn crop of 14.2 billion bu. was about to be harvested, followed by 1.9 billion bu. of the crop being marketed in export markets and 6.6 billion bu. being used domestically for food, industrial and seed purposes. These figures compare to the current situation where production is pegged at 14.5 billion bu. by USDA-NASS,” say LMIC analysts. 

Soybean futures are providing plenty of fuel, with nearby contracts surging by about $1/bu. in the last 10 days to the highest level since June of 2014, according to LMIC.

“The impetus for surging prices (soybeans) has come from adverse crop development conditions in Argentina, the third largest soybean producing country and the leading exporter of soybean meal in the world,” LMIC analysts explain. “Reduced availability of soybeans and soybean products from Argentina is forcing the world to focus on U.S. soybean supplies. Projected exports of U.S. soybeans is expected to be a record at 2.2 billion bu. and soybean meal exports should be close to the record set last year at 14 million tons. As a result, inventories of soybeans at the end of this crop year (Aug. 31, 2021) will be close to 200-220 million bu., down from 909 million bu. two years earlier. 

“Tightening supplies support a rising price trend in order to bid more plantings of the crop in the U.S. this spring versus corn and cotton. The average price for soybeans this crop year is currently expected to be $11.50 but the risks to this forecast are all to the high side, depending on weather and the global economy in coming months. The potential for record high soybean prices in the $15-$20 area exists based on possible market conditions.”

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was at a standstill in the Texas Panhandle and Colorado through Friday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Elsewhere, it was limited on light demand with too few transactions to trend.

For the week, despite hopes for gains, prices through Friday afternoon were generally unevenly steady.

Southern Plains: steady at $112/cwt.

Nebraska: steady to $1 lower on a live basis at $110-$111; steady to $1 higher in the beef at $176.

Colorado: Steady to $1 higher on a live basis at $112.

Western Corn Belt: steady to $2 lower on a live basis at $110; steady to $1 higher in the beef at $175-$177.

Through Thursday, the average five-area direct fed steer price was 1¢ higher on a live basis at $111.49/cwt. The average steer price in the beef was 47¢ higher at $176.02.

Cattle futures closed lower Friday. Pressure included demand uncertainty and continued grain market strength.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 17¢ lower, except for 5¢ higher in Oct.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of 52¢ lower.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 99¢ higher Friday afternoon at $206.80/cwt. Select was 10¢ higher at $196.69.

Corn futures closed 1¢ to 2¢ higher through the front four contracts and then mostly 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 11¢ to 19¢ higher through Sep ‘21 and then mostly 4¢ to 8¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices edged higher Friday, despite a disappointing national employment report.

Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 140,000 month to month in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The trade expected a slight gain. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased 23¢ to $29.81.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 56 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 20 points higher. The NASDAQ was up 134 points.

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Although U.S. beef exports for January through November remained lower year over year, they stormed back in November, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

November beef exports totaled 115,337 metric tons (mt), up 6% from a year earlier and the most since July 2019. Export value climbed 8% year-over-year to $707.5 million. November beef muscle cut exports were the third largest on record at 91,338 mt (up 13%, trailing only July and August 2019), valued at $630.4 million (up 11%).

“Demand for U.S. beef in the global retail sector has been outstanding and we expect this to continue in 2021,” says USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Unfortunately, foodservice continues to face COVID-related challenges. We expect a broader foodservice recovery this year, especially from mid-2021, but will likely still see interruptions in some markets.”

Among highlights for the month, November exports to China and Guatemala set new monthly records, while shipments to Mexico were the largest since 2016.

Through November, beef exports were 6% lower year-over-year in volume (1.13 million mt) and down 7% in value ($6.9 billion). January-November muscle cut exports were 3% below 2019 in volume (883,012 mt) and 6% lower in value ($6.11 billion).

As for pork, November export volume was steady year over year at 258,801 mt, with value down 2% to $697.5 million. Although China/Hong Kong remained the largest destination for U.S. pork in November, momentum continued to build in other markets including Japan, Mexico and Central America.

January-November pork exports set new annual records for both volume (2.72 million mt, up 14% from the previous year’s pace) and value ($7.03 billion, up 13%). Pork muscle cut exports also shattered previous annual records, increasing 18% year-over-year to 2.29 million mt, valued at $6.08 billion (up 15%).

Negotiated cash fed cattle trade was limited on light demand in Kansas, the Northern Plains and the western Corn Belt through Thursday afternoon, according to the Agricultural Marketing Service. Although too few to trend, there were a few dressed trades in Nebraska at $177/cwt., which was $1-$2 higher than last week, when live prices were $112 in the Southern Plains and $110-$112 up north.

Firmer Cattle futures and higher outside markets are helping foster optimism for higher cash prices.

The five-area weighted average steer price in December was $109.05/cwt., on a live basis (FOB), which was 20¢ higher than the previous month but $10.95 less than the previous year, according to USDA. The average steer price in the beef (delivered) was $170.94, which was 60¢ higher than the previous month but $20.24 less than the prior year.

Cattle futures closed mostly higher Thursday. Support included the likely need for packers to get cattle bought, in order to maintain the brisk processing pace. Feeder Cattle also benefitted from a pause in escalating Corn futures.

Live Cattle futures closed an average of 26¢ higher, except for 2¢ lower and 25¢ lower on either end of the board.

Feeder Cattle futures closed an average of $1.11 higher.

Choice boxed beef cutout value was 54¢ higher Thursday afternoon at $205.81/cwt. Select was 51¢ higher at $196.59.

The average dressed steer weight the week ending Dec. 25 was 913 lbs., according to USDA’s Actual Slaughter Under Federal Inspection report. That was 8 lbs. less than the previous week but 8 lbs. heavier than the same week a year earlier. The average dressed heifer weight of 839 lbs. was 8 lbs. less than the previous week but 2 lbs. heavier than the prior year.

Corn futures closed unchanged to 1¢ lower.

Soybean futures closed 3¢ to 6¢ lower through Sep ‘21 and then mostly 1¢ to 2¢ higher.

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Major U.S. financial indices surged higher Thursday, buoyed in part by clarity surrounding the presidential election and fewer initial unemployment insurance claims than the trade expected.

For the week ending Jan. 2, initial unemployment insurance claims of 787,000 were 3,000 few than the previous week, according to the U.S, Department of Labor. The four-week moving average was 818,750, which was 18,750 fewer than the previous week’s revised average.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 211 points higher. The S&P 500 closed 55 points higher. The NASDAQ up 326 points.

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Digital recipes play a pivotal role in the path to purchase for grocery and consumer packaged goods (CPG), a pathway the Beef Checkoff is using to accelerate ecommerce growth of beef products.

First, some context.

Last summer, Chicory, the leading contextual commerce provider for CPG and grocery brands, released results from the first annual digital recipe usage survey, quantifying the role of digital recipes in the path to purchase. It demonstrated that recipes represent the number one reason a shopper purchases a new product, proving that recipes are a top strategy for getting new and lapsed shoppers to consider trying a brand that they haven’t recently considered.

“This survey confirmed that digital recipes play a pivotal role in the path to purchase for grocery and CPG products,” said Yuni Sameshima, Chicory’s CEO and co-Founder. “This validates the idea that recipes drive consumer behavior. Consumers use recipes to plan ahead for shopping trips, reference recipes in store and re-reference recipes after the shop as they cook. So, a contextual commerce strategy for grocery and CPG brands should integrate commerce-enabled ads within recipes to directly connect recipe and food inspiration to retailers’ sites for purchase.”

More specifically, according to the Chicory survey:

• 81% of respondents confirmed that they use digital recipes.
• Recipes are 19% more likely to inspire a shopper to try a new product than a recommendation of a family member or friend; 61% more likely than the item being featured or on sale at the retailer, and 78% more likely than an influencer recommendation.
• 82% of Americans responded that they reference digital recipes on their mobile devices while they are physically in the store.
• Baby boomers (18%) were least likely to use recipes. Millennials/Gen Z (48%) and Gen X (34%) were most likely to use recipes.

With all of that in mind, Chicory and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced this week a partnership to raise the profile of beef to American consumers and accelerate ecommerce growth of beef products at Kroger and Kroger banners, Walmart Grocery and Albertson/Safeway banners.

NCBA is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff program and manager of the brand: Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner (BIWD). The Beef Checkoff is leveraging Chicory’s Digital Shopping Aisle experience for two media campaigns, as well as shoppable recipes on BeefItsWhatsforDinner.com.

“At a time when more people are shopping online than ever before, this partnership has allowed us to jump into the world of ecommerce and encourage consumers to enjoy delicious beef for dinner,” says Bridget Wasser, NCBA Senior Executive Director of Product Quality. “Beyond the media campaigns, the shoppable recipes take the work out of dinner from beefy meal ideas, to shopping and grocery delivery with the click of the mouse.”

Chicory’s first-to-market Digital Shopping Aisle solution enables commodity-focused groups to equitably represent beef manufacturers, while executing an effective shopper marketing and contextual commerce campaign. BIWD is utilizing Chicory Premium in recipe ad units to ‘own’ ingredients via in-line units and ‘pairings’ ads to feature products within related content in order to promote beef products in contextually relevant recipes on over 1,500 recipe sites, including Taste of Home, Creme de la Crumb and Fork in the Kitchen.

Consumers see ads that are shoppable at either Kroger and Kroger banners, Walmart Grocery or Albertson/Safeway banners based on retailer geography. Consumers who click on the Walmart Grocery or Albertson/Safeway banners shoppable ads are driven to Chicory’s unique Digital Shopping Aisle, showcasing the available beef products needed for the recipe, such as ground beef, steak and roasts, at a retailer. The Digital Shopping Aisle randomizes the available products that the consumer sees, ensuring a truly equitable experience for each brand and product. Here, shoppers may choose their preferred brand and add the product to their digital shopping cart for a seamless checkout experience. Consumers who click on the Kroger or Kroger banners shoppable ads are driven to customized Kroger landing pages with the various available cuts of beef to make their choice.

The partnership also provides a seamless way for BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com to lead users from inspiration to purchase through Recipe Activation, a commerce-enabled recipe checkout experience. Using Chicory’s shoppable recipe technology, users can purchase instantly all ingredients needed for any of the recipes on BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.