Despite Chinese tariffs on U.S. pork, dynamics associated with the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak have created market opportunities for pork exports to China. In addition, Chinese beef imports surged in June, also due to changing protein demand spurred by the impacts of ASF. Separately, news this week documented that U.S. cotton exports to China […]
Looking back a decade or so, the high feed price era from 2007 to 2013 caused downsizing of the beef industry. Beef cow numbers reached a low in 2014 which resulted in record high finished cattle prices near $148 per live hundredweight in 2015. Record high calf prices then stimulated expansion of the breeding herd. […]
Even with rising corn prices, pork producers remain optimistic about future profits. For USDA’s June Hogs & Pigs Report, producers reported farrowing intentions on par with year-earlier actual sows farrowing, which were the largest ever. If realized, any increases in litter rates will continue to set pig crop records.
Grain and livestock farmers can both benefit from the recent rule change by the United States Department of Agriculture, which allows farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres to harvest those fields beginning Sept. 1.
The pork outlook started this year on a downbeat, then in March and April markets recognized that African swine fever in China could cause global pork shortages and lean futures and industry optimism sailed upward. Summer lean futures exceeded $100, but cash prices could only reach the low $80s and futures came tumbling down. Then […]
Corn price futures for the December 2019 contract increased from $3.79 per bushel for the week ending May 10 to $4.55 for the week ending June 28. Even though corn futures prices weakened after the release of the June crop acreage report, using the iFarm Price Distribution Tool (here) there was still a 13 percent […]
As of June 1, there were 75.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 4 percent from June 2018, and 1 percent from March 1, 2019, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings in the report were: […]
While not the most encompassing measure of crop productivity, yield, or production divided by land, is easy to compute. Research confirms its value as farms with consistently higher yields are found to be more profitable over time (Nivens, Kastens, and Dhuyvetter, 2002; and Sonka, Hornbaker, and Hudson, 1989). In addition, since land is a foundation […]
Many forage stands were damaged this past winter, and the wet spring has further deteriorated stands that appeared they might recover. It is now too risky to try to establish perennial forages, with the warmer summer weather at our doorstep. We should wait until August to establish perennial stands. Meanwhile, what options can we consider […]
Recent news articles and government reports show that African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to have a disrupting impact on soybean and pork markets. Today’s update highlights key points from several of these sources. African Swine Fever: Background and Scope Laura Reiley reported earlier this month in The Washington Post that, “African swine fever is decimating the […]