The ‘big four’ beef packers, in dramatic questioning during a House Ag hearing this week, denied breaking antitrust laws by colluding to create record profits. It was a dramatic moment in an hours-long hearing, as Ag Chair David Scott asked the ‘big four’ beef packer CEOs if they’d worked together to set prices, netting 15 billion in profits last year …
CoBank: Rising Meat Prices Will Test Consumer Demand
U.S. consumer demand for meat at the retail level remains exceptionally strong despite rising prices caused by increased production costs and supply chain challenges. A new CoBank report says that may change soon. Once the full effect of increased costs of producer price inflation shows up in the retail meat case, demand will get tested. “Retail meat prices will remain …
Senate Ag Committee Split on Cattle Market Reform Bill
A Senate Ag Committee cattle market reform hearing Tuesday proved again just how divided the industry is over how to deal with packer concentration, and in some cases, how afraid some producers are to say. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley claimed momentum for his Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act ahead of the Senate Ag hearing. “It does not include the …
U.S. Cattle on Feed Up 2 Percent
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released their April Cattle on Feed Report and the new numbers show the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 12.1 million head on April 1, 2022. The inventory was 2 percent above April 1, 2021, …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 04-22-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended April 22, 2022, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended April 22, 2022, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 8,200 head compared to 11,561 last week and …
Senator Previews Support, Opposition to Cattle Market Reforms
The chief sponsor of cattle market reform legislation, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, recently spoke with farm reporters about his expectations for upcoming hearings on his bill later this month. Grassley says he knows what the top four beef packing company executives think of his Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. “What they think about it is, everything’s alright, nothing needs to …
Demand and Price Reflected in Dairy Outlook
Strong demand and prices are noted in USDA’s latest forecasts for dairy. Rod Bain has the story. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski looks at USDA’s April projections for dairy prices by product and by class. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research …
Four Meatpacker CEOs to Testify at Congressional Hearing
The four CEOs of Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS, and National Beef Packing have agreed to testify before Congress. Reuters says the meatpacker bosses will discuss cattle markets and price increases for consumers. House Ag Committee Chair David Scott says it’s important to find out why prices have dropped for ranchers and risen for consumers. “In addition to the CEO panel, …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 04-15-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended April 15, 2022, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended April 15, 2022, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,600 head compared to 9,968 last week and …
Beef, Pork and Poultry Production and Price Forecasts for April
Slight gains in both beef production and price forecasts are noted in the latest USDA outlook. But according to a story from Rod Bain, the latest pork production and price forecasts reveal tighter supplies and a price adjustment for hogs. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski also goes over USDA’s April outlook for broiler and turkey production and prices. …