BUDGETS: cow calf, backgrounding, summer grazing

LMIC: Analysis and Comments, In the Cattle Market, Livestock Monitor

MARKET REPORTS: area market reports

PRESENTATIONS: meeting presentations

LEASE PUBLICATIONS - farm and ranch

Chart of the Month

An increasing US beef cow herd, swine herd, and chicken flock has led to record US beef, pork, chicken, and total meat production in 2019. Furthermore, ongoing trade negotiations with top US meat customers including Japan, Canada, Mexico, and China have reduced export volumes of some meat and variety products. In spite of those headwinds, prices in ND for cattle, hogs, and lambs are currently higher than this time last year. That is good news for producers with market ready livestock. However, those same issues are causing price volatility. Another important wild card for livestock prices is weather, and its potential impact on corn and hay prices and grazing conditions. Record production, unresolved trade issues, and weather will likely continue to cause price volatility. Keeping abreast of changing market fundamentals, with flexible marketing plans that may include price risk management strategies producers are familiar with, is suggested.