The Pork Checkoff hosted a news media conference call following the USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report on Friday, March 25, 2016. Three distinguished agricultural economists: Dr. Scott Brown, Extension Livestock Economist, the University of Missouri, Dr. Lee Schultz, Livestock Economist, Iowa State University, and Altin Kalo, Senior Analyst, Steiner Consulting Group, were on hand to give their reactions to … Read More
Alltech Helping Growers Meet Goals
Alltech Crop Science was working hard during the 2016 Commodity Classic, talking with growers about new ways to help them raise their bottom line during the tough growing season and sharing their latest yield-boosting technologies with attendees. “With commodity prices down, we have got to increase yield to make sure growers are making money at the end of the season,” … Read More
NMPF Releases Latest Dairy Market Report
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has released the Dairy Market Report for February 2016. The report shows that U.S. milk production continues to grow at an annual rate of less than 1 percent, while domestic commercial use of cheese and butter continues to increase somewhat faster than production. Despite these trends, milk prices are weakening going into the first … Read More
Low Corn Prices Offer Benefits for Dairymen
While the decreasing price of corn has sparked concern throughout the agriculture industry, the resulting low feed prices do offer several benefits to livestock producers and the dairy industry. Low feed prices can help to soften the blow from the continued decrease in global price and demand for milk. Many factors seem to demonstrate that the new long-term “normal” for … Read More
UW-Extension Hosting Cattle Feeders Workshops
The University of Wisconsin-Cooperative Extension will be hosting seven Cattle Feeders workshops at locations throughout Wisconsin from February 22 through February 25, 2016. The forums will discuss the new Veterinary Feed Directive requirements, a market outlook, results of recent feeding trials, and overhead cost survey highlights. Adam Hady, UW-Extension Richland County agriculture agent, will present a discussion on the upcoming … Read More
USMEF Reports on The Dominican Republic
This week’s audio report from the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) covers the Dominican Republic, one of the fastest-growing markets for U.S. beef and pork, and how food service training programs for Dominican chefs and other restaurant staff have helped create new opportunities in this promising market. The report is led by Julieta Hernandez, USMEF foodservice manager for Mexico and … Read More
Major Changes To Livestock Trading Announced
CME Group and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) have made several announcements regarding the design of a number of steps that intend to help further enhance US livestock markets, which have become increasingly volatile. “Nothing is more important to us than the integrity of our markets, which help farmers and ranchers to discover prices and transfer risk,” said Tim … Read More
CoBank Report for U.S. Protein in 2016
CoBank, an agribusiness lender, released a new research report stating they believe indicators point to animal protein supplies moving toward a state of equilibrium, with protein stocks more in line with overall levels of demand. I spoke with Trevor Amen, animal protein economist with CoBank, to learn more about how the report will impact producers. “The overall focus of this … Read More
CattleFax Appoints New Officers
CattleFax, a member-owned organization serving producers in all segmments of the beef cattle business, also held their annual business meeting in San Diego last week during the Cattle Industry Convention where they elected officers for 2016. Jeff Sparrowk, a cow/calf and stocker operator from Clements, Calif., was elected President. He has been actively involved in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association … Read More
January Dairy Market Report
Each month the National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Management Inc. produce a Dairy Market Report. The January issue is out and highlights U.S. dairy trade and dairy product prices for the first month of 2016. The summary says annual growth in U.S. milk production slowed to less than half a percent during September-October. American-type cheese, dry whey and butter … Read More