The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall is addressing online rumors of false animal health information in feedlots in Texas. Woodall released a statement saying, “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is aware of online rumors that allege a new or unknown animal disease is circulating in a feedlot in the Texas Panhandle. These claims are false. Animal health …
Grain and livestock futures remain weaker, though we think they’ll be more stable as we move toward Friday. A disappointing February soybean crush number only adds to uncertainty in the soybean complex, President Trump hinting that that March 31st meeting in Beijing could be delayed if China doesn’t help with security in the Strait of Hormuz. A delay in that meeting only delays a …
Early Settlers vs. Harsh Realities The promise of the Great Plains as fertile, open land for farming drew many settlers westward in the 19th century. However, as Mark Oppold highlights in an American Agriculture History Minute, “Early settlers discovered that the Great Plains were not all that great.” The region’s climate posed formidable challenges that often proved disastrous for new …
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association will be hosting a youth cattle working contest in May and we caught up with Erin Beasley with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association for more details. Beasley said, “Got an exciting new contest for our Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association members. The Youth Cattle Working Contest will be held on May the 2nd at Midstate Stockyards in Letohatchee. This is …
USDA has released the Domestic and Global Cotton Supply and Demand Outlook for the month of March. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski explains, “Overall, pretty small changes in cotton both globally and domestically this month. We raised our production forecast for Brazil by 800,000 bales. That’s mainly based on data reported within the country. On the other hand, we lowered …
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Convention educational sessions featured Michael Lowry with the Alabama Poll who provided insights on the upcoming elections. We caught up with Michael after his session to learn what voters are most concerned about this cycle. Lowry said, “Absolutely anything dealing with the economy, economic issues, and it’s not so much jobs, you know, we always say economy and …
Checking on the peanut market this week. Good news for farmers. They do have something offered at buying points. Peanut buying points are reporting that peanut contracts are now available for the 26 peanut crop. Contracts were started out on runners at $415 per ton. The tonnage is not limited. Contract offers for Virginia type peanuts was $425. Some farmers of course need …
According to the U. S. Meat Export Federation, January U.S. Pork Exports have trended higher while Beef Variety Meats topped highs in previous months. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom shares the details on Pork Exports, “Of course, last year, the last several months by Latin America, Mexico, Central America, even down into Colombia, for example. But the interesting thing about …
Labor issues at that JBS beef plant in Colorado plowed an otherwise positive beef trade in our review. Beef packer margins improving here last week. By the way, happy St. Patrick’s Day. The Irish and friends of Irish, heavy consumers of beef and various beverages as well. But spring coming up here at the end of the week, and that consumer demand we …
Opening the Frontier to Farmers In the mid-19th century, governments in North America began actively encouraging farmers to settle and cultivate vast areas of frontier land. These policies would dramatically reshape agriculture, populate the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies, and establish thousands of family farms that became the backbone of rural economies. One of the most significant policies driving this …
