News Update
November 16, 2015
Cattle Markets:
Correcting the Correction
There are encouraging signs that fed- and feeder-cattle markets have turned the corner on the massive slide in prices in recent weeks. Notice that I didn’t say, “correcting the overcorrection.”
What has happened, especially for fed-cattle markets, was a necessary correction to provide the market signals to fix a problem that developed over several months due to a lack of proper market signals. Feedlots have been pushing carcass weights for months, abetted by packers because both had individual and market incentives to offset lack of cattle numbers with additional carcass weight. However, there are both biological and market limits to how far weights can be pushed before hitting a relatively abrupt wall.
Signals such as discounts for heavy carcasses and Yield Grade (YG) 4 and 5 carcasses did not adjust quickly enough to slow the weight train and avoid hitting the wall. Reported heavy-carcass discounts have not increased at all, and YG 4 and 5 discounts did not increase until September, and then only modestly. Even the Choice-Select spread followed a normal seasonal increase until mid-September before adjusting sharply lower in the face of very high Choice grading percentages that accompanied the overweight carcasses.
For more information, view the full release.
Four States Cattle Conference set for Dec. 8
The Four States Cattle Conference set for Dec. 8 will focus on several issues affecting beef cattle production heading into 2016 including a cattle market outlook, according to organizers.
The conference is sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Cooperative Extension programs at the University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University (LSU), Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Farm Credit. The event will be hosted at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 E. 50th St. in Texarkana.
“A lot of beef producers want to know what the outlook will be for prices heading into 2016,” said Brian Triplett, AgriLife Extension agent in Bowie County and a program speaker. “We’ll have an in-depth look at price projections, plus there will be programs on how calves are graded, what order buyers and packers are looking for. Plus, we will have presentations on herd health programs, proper vaccine care and administration.”
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
2015 Missouri Governor's Conference on Agriculture
The 46th Governor’s Conference on Agriculture is set for Dec. 16-18 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo., and registration is now available online at www.agriculture.mo.gov. This year’s theme is ‘Agriculture: Tell Your Story.’ This gathering provides a platform for ag leaders and innovators to share the story of Missouri agriculture through development of forward-thinking ideas, discussions on current issues and promotion of Missouri’s No. 1 industry.
The conference will take place Wednesday through Friday this year, which is different than in years past. The program will include Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce, nationally-recognized speakers, in-depth discussions and an agriculture tradeshow, all led by emcee Cyndi Young of Brownfield Ag News. Covering the most important trends shaping our world between now and 2035, a presentation by Seven Revolutions will provide insight into agriculture’s increasingly important role in society.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
NCBA’s Cattlemen’s College Set to Kick-off 23rd Year
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattlemen’s College series will kick-off its 23rd year Jan. 26-27, 2016, in San Diego, Calif. Widely hailed as the premier educational event in the cattle industry, this series, sponsored by Zoetis, will feature speakers and live animal demonstrations that give cattlemen and women the tools to connect, learn and innovate.
Cattlemen’s College will start off on Jan. 26, with an opportunity to listen to and question five of the most influential and dynamic experts in the beef industry through the session “Whole Herd Makeover: Cowboy Style.” Industry experts will include Dave Daley, Don Schiefelbein, Patsy Houghton and Tom Brink, with Tom Field moderating.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Registration Opens for ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference
Some attendees have deemed Alltech’s annual international conference an experience evocative of Disney’s Epcot; others have called it the United Nations of agriculture. One perspective, however, is universal: It is heralded as the most unique and innovative event that conference attendees say they have experienced, and registration for the 2016 edition, ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference, is now available at http://one.alltech.com.
A forum for world-changing ideas, global networking and inspiration, 97% of event attendees have said they would attend again. The conference offers a topical blend of science, agriculture, entrepreneurship, business and marketing information, along with a craft beer festival and a panoply of chefs preparing international delights to sample.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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