Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Brad Hulett
Hulett - Market Holds Steady
Cattle feeders were able to keep cash markets steady last week. The market in the South remained split between $137-$138. Packers were on limited head counts. This was mainly due to several packers having plant issues that had backed up harvest numbers. Feeders in the North continued to keep their large spread going over the South. Cash trade ranged from $145-$150 in most areas with dressed cattle bringing in the low to mid $230’s.
Hulett: Higher Market Continues
Cattle feeders found themselves in a higher market for the second consecutive week. Texas started the trade in the South with a few producers accepting steady money early in the week. The majority of the cash sellers held out until Thursday and Kansas and Texas feeders were rewarded with $140 trades. The number of cattle that packers bought at this level was limited, and some producers decided to trade cattle at $138 on Friday and Saturday. Packers in the North continue to be very short on numbers.
Hulett: Cash Finally Turns Higher
Cattle feeders in the South finally saw a turnaround in the market. Feeders in Texas were a little more eager to get business done and began selling cattle on Wednesday at $136. Cash trade in Kansas did not develop until Friday morning and feeders were rewarded for their patience. Packers raised their bids to $137 which was enough to get trade started. There were also some smaller numbers of cattle traded in the south to regionals at $139-$140 Cattle trade broke out earlier than usual in the North.
Hulett: Basis, Feed Costs Push Trade
Cattle feeders in the South wasted no time last week beginning the cattle trade. The combination between favorable basis and high feed cost pushed feeders to trade a couple dollars lower at $135. The northern market was not spared by the lower trade in the South. Most cash cattle were a dollar softer at $139. Dressed cattle also lost a few dollars and traded mostly $219-$222. Basis traders may not have as much incentive to hurry out of the gate this week.
Hulett: Downward Trend Begins
Cattle feeders in all regions began to see prices fall away last week. In the South feeders started off with $138 being the best bid with some cattle bringing lower money as the week progressed. Feeders in the North could not hold their market from falling, but were still able to keep a premium to the South. Cash cattle traded $140-$142 for the most part with dressed cattle bringing in the mid $220’s.
Hulett: Cattle Market Runs Sideways to Lower
Cattle feeders were surprised when packers came out with steady money on Tuesday, and they were more than willing to sell cattle at $140. The steady bid moved all the front-end cattle, and producers were willing to move some second cut cattle at lower money as the week progressed. Packers were not as generous with the market in the North. Despite still being higher than the South, feeders lost a dollar off their live market.
Hulett: Markets Hold Despite Tumbling Board
Packers got the market going early last week. Monday packers were willing to take on cattle at $140, steady with last week. There were a few cattle that brought up to $141. The cleanup in the South was exceptionally good. The North was able to keep its price advantage over the South. Cash trade was mostly $145-$146 and dressed trade was in the low $230’s. Cattle feeders should still have a few weeks to try to push the market higher before cattle inventories increase.
Hulett: Upward Movement Continues
. (CBP) Kansas cattle feeders started the cattle trade in the South last week at $141. This was bid by a regional packer from the North trying to extend inventory in its area. The majors came in behind them and bid $140 all through the South. Cattle feeders began moving cattle at this price due to urging from customers to keep moving cattle off the feed bill. The North continued to keep their market moving higher, too. Dressed cattle were around $230 with cash cattle bringing $145-$148.
. (CBP) Cattle feeders in the South saw a small turn higher in the cash market last week. Cattle traded mostly a dollar higher at $139, with a few cattle bringing something back of the market. Feeders in the North saw a much more active market. Cash trade in the North ranged from $142 to $145 with dressed cattle trading in the mid $220’s. The North is seeing the smallest market-ready numbers of the season. All indications show that cattle feeders should expect higher money again this week.
Hulett: The Struggle Continues
. (CBP) Cattle feeders in the South got the market started early last week. Feeders began offering cattle to the packer on Monday at steady money. Even though the board was under pressure one packer chose to take on cattle. By Friday all packers had taken on a few cattle at $138. The market in the North showed some signs of life last week as feeders were able to put some money on cash bids and push them up to $140, while dressed cattle stayed around low to mid $220’s.
Hulett: Northern Feeders Find Extra Money
. (CBP) Cattle feeders in the South found themselves in the continual rut of $138. Packers continue to have healthy supplies around them and made sure not to get in each other’s way during the week’s trade. Feeders in the South continue to have no option but to take what bids are offered and knowing if you pass you may not get a bid the following week. Feeders on the Western side still found it difficult to find a bid much better than the $138, but over in the East $140 was more widespread.
Hulett: Cash Continues to Drop
. (CBP) Cash trade developed earlier than usual last week in the South. There were some feeders who started to trade cattle at $138, and as the day progressed cattle feeders realized this was all the market was going to be. As the week progressed some feeders even moved cattle as low as $136. Cattle feeders in the North waited out the market until later in the week, but still did not get the results they wanted.
Hulett: Cash Loses Momentum
. (CBP) The cash market had more pressure on it last week and was led lower by the board. Feedlots saw more participation from the packer, but none of them needed enough inventory to keep the market steady. Cattle feeders in the South were forced into trading cattle at $140 with some cattle bringing $138 towards the end of the week. Feeders in the North also saw a pullback in their market. Cash cattle traded mostly at $140 with some in isolated areas bringing more than that.
Hulett: Another Setback for Feeders
. (CBP) Cattle feeders experienced another setback in the market last week due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This caused a pull pack in the board which gave packers reason to keep the market steady to lower in the South. Most cattle traded $141-$142. Feeders in the North saw their market hold at mostly steady. Cash trade was $142-$145 with dressed cattle trading in the mid to upper $220’s. Cattle feeders in the North, along with feeders in the South, had a hard time moving much volume.
Hulett: Cash Moves Higher
. (CBP) Cattle feeders saw continued upward movement in the market last week. $142 was the common number that moved cattle in most locations in the South. This level enticed many producers to move cattle, with the help of having at least four packers in the market. The North continued to see a stronger market than that in the South. Dressed trade was manly in the mid to upper $220’s with cash ranging from $142-$144 for the most part. Packer participation was strong in this area, too.
Hulett: Cash Holds Steady to Higher
. (CBP) Feeders in the South saw a cash market that was much like the week before. Cash cattle traded $138-$140. Cattle feeders did see a larger cleanup than what they had seen in weeks past. This was mainly due to having three packers in the market all trying to buy large numbers of cattle. The North saw their market run a little higher than the south. The cash market in the North was mostly $140-$144 with dressed cattle ranging $224-$226.
Hulett: Cash Creeps Higher
. (CBP) The cash market finally saw some life last week. Packers seemed to be in more need for cattle and finally were in a position to have to raise bids to get cattle bought. The South saw cash trade from $138 to $140 in all areas. Cattle feeders in the North also benefited from the rise in the market. Several majors as well as regionals seemed to be short on cattle and pushed the market to keep inventory around them.
Hulett: Another Week, More of The Same
. (CBP) Cattle feeders saw nothing new in the live cattle trade last week as packers continued to be on limited head counts once again. This limited trade continued to hold the live market at $136 to $137 in the South. The North did not see much different in its market. Cash prices were mostly $137 and dressed cattle bringing $218 for the most part. Packers continue to have plenty of cattle around them. This has aided them in their efforts to keep a lid on the cash market.
Hulett: Market Holds Steady
. (CBP) Cattle feeders saw participation by all packers in last week’s market. That helped keep the market steady at $137. There was some cattle that traded lower but steady caught most of the trade in the South. Feeders in the North saw a mostly steady trade also. Bids of $137 dominated the cash trade with $218 being the dominate dressed price. This week will continue to hinge on how many workers show up at the processing plants.
Hulett: Packers Take Advantage of Cattle Backup
. (CBP) Packers have had issues with worker absenteeism at their plants, which has again created a backlog of market-ready cattle. Packers used that fact to their advantage last week and slashed cash fed cattle prices. Cattle in the South traded $135-$137 with most cattle trading on the lower end of the range. Cattle feeders in the North also saw prices slip last week. Live cattle traded mostly at $137 and dressed cattle traded $218 to $220.
Hulett: Cash Market Climbs Back
. (CBP) Cattle feeders in the South saw the market begin to climb higher after being lower due to shortened holiday running hours. With packers needing more cattle, and a little help from the board, feeders in the South traded cattle at $138. This was somewhat disappointing compared the North, but at least the market was moving in the right direction. Feeders in the North did an excellent job of recognizing their situation and make the most of it.
Hulett: Cash Loses More Ground
. (CBP) Cash bids were once again hard to come by last week. There were only a couple of packers in the market for the second week. This was somewhat due to upcoming shortened and holiday harvest schedules and issues with windy conditions during the week. At week's end packers added very few cattle to their inventory with $138 the best cash bid in the South, with some cattle trading as low at $136 before the week was over. Cattle feeders in the North also saw the cash market erode away.
'Turn In' Cattle Driving Market Down
. (CBP) The South traded mostly steady, with prices ranging from $118-$119 last week. The number of negotiated cattle is what seems to be the biggest disappointment. In the South seven plants harvest an average 5,000 head per day - each, that’s 35,0000 head harvested per day. Last week, only two days of harvest, or 10,000 head, were considered cash trade.
Hulett: Lack of Packer Participation Drives Market Lower
. (CBP) Feeders saw some of what they had gained in the live market slip away last week. Many feeders never received a bid on cattle, and the ones that did saw a bid one to three dollars lower than the week before. Cattle feeders in the South traded cattle at $119-$120 with a few trading lower than that. The Northern feeder didn’t fare much better, but were able to hold onto their premium over the South. Cash cattle remained around $123 and dressed cattle held in at the mid to upper $190’s.
Hulett: Lack of Participation Slows Cash
Last week feeders in Kansas saw one of their main packing plants down for three and a half days for maintenance. This did not bode well for feeders, thinking that the market in the South could be up three to five dollars on the week. When packers did begin bidding, $121 was the best of it, and packers stayed out of each other’s way so they did not drive cattle prices any higher.
Patience Pays Off When Treating BRD
Longer-acting antibiotics can greatly increase the chance of successful treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). John Pollreisz, DVM, Beef Technical Services with Zoetis understands the need for patience when treating the disease and shares his experience and knowledge about the ongoing challenges of BRD. Pull, re-treat, repeat. It is the cycle many producers succumb to, with the best intentions, to stay on top of BRD.
Hulett: Packers Push for More Cattle
Trade in the South developed early again last week. Wednesday morning began with a couple of regional packers buying cattle at $121. This trade was limited, and as the day went on the majors came to $120 and feeders began to traded cattle. Producers saw bids up to $123 by the end of the week. The North continued to see a rise in prices, too. Dressed trade was mostly in the mid $190’s, with cash mostly $123 with a few trades towards the end of the week reaching the mid $120’s.
Hulett: Cash Finds Momentum
Cattle feeders in the South saw a rise in their cash market for the second consecutive week. The trade was lower than what producers wanted, but most of the live cattle trade was $117-$118. The feeders in the North were able to push their market higher. With tighter supplies packers had to push the market to higher levels. Cash traded developed at $118 earlier in the week and by Friday most cash cattle were bringing $120-$121. Dressed cattle traded mostly in the lower $190’s.
Hulett: Déjà vu
It came as no surprise to anyone the cash cattle market in the South was steady again at $114. A few cattle traded a dollar less towards the end of the week. Four packers were participants again last week, but none of them needed enough cattle to push one another over the $114 mark. The North also continued at steady to higher in some areas, and $114 was the dominate number in the cash trade with $178-$180 dominating most of the dressed trade.
Hulett: Steady Once Again
Feeders in the South experienced the same market once again, with most producers getting $114 for fed cattle. There appeared to more cattle trade than what we have seen for several weeks, but with only one or two packers needing cattle it was difficult for feeders to push the market higher. The North didn’t seem to fare any better than the South. Producers in the North saw cash prices range from $112 to $114 and most dressed prices from $178 to $180.
Hulett: Fed Cattle Steady as Board Falls
Fed cattle prices in the South remained mostly steady at $114 with a hand full of cattle trading above that level. Packers, as usual, were in a position of leverage and needed very little cattle for the next week’s harvest. This continues to be the biggest problem with driving the cash price higher. The North saw a range of $112.25 to $117 with most of the trade around $114. The dressed market was mainly $179-$183.
Hulett: Weather Slows Beef Production in the South
. (CBP) Beef production slowed to a virtual standstill due to extreme winter weather in the South last week. The load on the supply of electricity and natural gas limited the packing plants in the South region from running at full capacity. The packers did not have a need for extra inventory with interrupted harvest schedules. The inventory taken on was steady at $114 on limited volume.
Hulett: Packers All In, Market Stalled
. (CBP) Four packers participated in the South region last week, but cash trade remained steady at $114. Regardless of the number of players, none of the packers needed additional inventory that could have pushed the market higher. With the market stalling out in the North, many producers chose not to move cattle, in part due to the market, but mostly due to the bitter weather conditions this week. Cash trade was $114, with dressed cattle trade near $182.
Cash Climb is Painfully Slow
Market Alley (CBP) The cash market continued its painfully slow climb last week, and many feeders anticipated the gain would be quicker and higher. With costs on the rise, quicker gains in the cash market would be most welcome. Live cattle trade in the South was $114 last week. Packers gave the impression they wanted to keep their inventory very light by lack of cash purchases during the week. Prices continued to rally for the North producers last week, too.
Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Partners with Chef’s Roll to Highlight the Beef Quality Assurance Program from Pasture to Plate
A series of videos developed and released through a new partnership between the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and Chef's Roll, Inc., reached more than 1.3 million viewers in its initial launch. The videos highlight the importance of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program for the ranchers who raise the cattle, and the chefs who serve high-quality beef to their customers.
Lawsuit Says Tyson Foods Misled Shareholders About COVID-19 Protocols
NEW YORK, Feb 2 (Reuters) - U.S. meat and poultry processor Tyson Foods Inc was sued on Tuesday for allegedly defrauding shareholders with misleading disclosures about its ability to combat the spread of the coronavirus in its facilities. The lawsuit, which seeks class-action status, was filed in Brooklyn federal court by Mingxue Guo, who lives in Canada, and seeks unspecified damages for Tyson shareholders from March 13 to Dec. 15, 2020. It followed a Dec.
Hulett: Fighting For Dollars
. (CBP) Cattle feeders showed they have the resolve to fight for more during last week's cash cattle trade. In the South the trade occurred late Friday before feeders sold a few cattle at $113. Some cattle traded at lower money earlier in the week, but most feeders held strong to push the market higher. Packers were not able to fill all their needs last week and will find themselves with a greater need for cattle this week.
Vilsack Says He’s Open To COOL
During Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday, Tom Vilsack, the former Ag Secretary who is President Biden’s nominee to return as Ag Secretary, said he is willing to consider reimplementation of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) regulations for meat products.
COVID-19 Case Rates Still Lower in Packing Plants Than General Population
A new report from the Meat Institute shows new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers are 60% lower than in the general U.S. population and two-thirds lower than case rates in the sector in May 2020.
Hulett: Cash Cattle Gaining Ground
Trade in the South started last Tuesday at $110.50. On Wednesday, packers bought cattle in Kansas at $109-$110. As the week progressed, the cash trade gained more momentum to trade at $111 when a couple of packers were short of cattle on Friday. Numbers indicate that packers could be running low on committed cattle, which should force some packers back into the cash market. The North began the week with early trade as well. Two packers started buying cattle in the North early in the week at $106.
Hulett: Packers Get Picky
. (CBP) The over-supply of cattle combined with a lack of interest from packers pushed the cash cattle market lower last week. In the South live cattle traded $108-$111 with most cattle at the upper end. The backslide of the market took its toll on the North, too. Cash prices in the North were $106-$109 with most cattle trading on the higher end. The dressed cattle traded back at $170-$174. The next few weeks are going to take patience and endurance from cattle feeders.
Hulett: Cattle Market Holds Steady
Market steady (CBP) Producers in the South were able to keep their market steady at $112. This appeared to be a challenge on Monday as the board had a large sell off. As the week progressed the board made gains to gain back all it had lost. The steady mark was also surprising due to the lack of participation in the market from packers. The feeders in the North saw much of the same. The cash market ranged from $107-$112 with most of the trade toward the higher end.
Hulett: More Cash Rings in the New Year
Cattle traded higher last week (CBP) The South tried to ring in the New Year with trade waiting to develop until New Year’s Eve. Feeders showed the resilience required to make it through 2020 by holding strong last week for $112 in cash cattle. A few feeders in the South traded early in the week for a disappointing $111. The North continued to close the price disparity on the South last week. Cash trade was from $109-$112 with most of the dressed cattle trading in the mid $170’s.
What’s Growing on Your Forage Crops
There are many types of microbes that naturally occur on forage crops in the field. Their populations vary with the weather during the growing season, crop management practices and the plant’s stage of maturity. These bacteria, yeasts and molds are simply waiting for the right conditions to grow and multiply. Influencing the situation to get the right microbes to dominate at the right time is the difference between quality silage and compost.
Ask the Silage Dr: Do I Need to Get Yeast and Mold Analysis?
Q. When I send my silage sample to the lab, should I request yeast and mold analysis too? A. We only recommend yeast and mold analysis if producers suspect silage heating or if there are herd health concerns that may be caused from molds. However, spoilage yeasts can lower intake, reduce ruminal fiber digestibility and reduce milk fat. When interpreting your results, anything above 100,000 colony-forming units (CFUs) per gram of silage is a problem.
Cost Effectiveness of Silage Depends on Pricing It Correctly
Calculating the economics of silage for beef producers seems like it would be cut and dried but not so. A lot has been learned recently about how to price corn silage. Beef producers are primarily focused on two approaches for growing and finishing cattle. First, how does silage fit as the predominant feed (50% to 80%) in a growing diet?
Hulett: Christmas Brings Higher Prices
Cattle traded higher (CBP) The holiday week brought higher prices to cattle feeders in all regions. The South saw all packers participate in the negotiated live trade. With active trade, producers saw the price rise to $110 for live cattle. With all packers active in the market there was good clean-up throughout the whole region. The North saw the upward trending market in their region, too. Live cattle in the North brought $103 to $110 with most sales toward the higher end.
Hulett: Better Than Expected
Cattle traded steady (CBP) The South was able to hold its market steady at $108, which was better than expected with the limited amount of participation from packers. The board had a decent week with most futures months being positive, but packer needs during the holidays seem to have more of an effect than the futures market. The North continued to deal with its large cattle issue. The West was able to get cattle moved at $108. The East still had problems, and live cattle ranged from $102-$106.
Cash Sinks With The Board
Cash cattle traded lower (CBP) Cash trade opened early in the South zone again last week on Tuesday with action in both Kansas and Texas. The opening bid in both states was $108 with a limited number of bids. Some feeders held strong for higher money, but with the decline in the CME board a higher market never surfaced. By the end of the week finding any bids became difficult across the South. The sinking cash and lack of bids continued in the North.
Winter Feeding Strategies for Beef Cows
Winter is coming fast, and during this time, it is important to consider your winter beef cow ration fed to your dry cows, so they are in top body condition and health at calving time. Calving is just a couple months away or less, depending on when your operation starts spring calving. Optimal body condition at calving is 5 to 6 on a scale from 1-9. The dry period and middle third of lactation are the easier and least costly times to add condition to the cow.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Brad
Contact Brad, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack