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Livestock

Impact of Higher Corn Prices on Cattle Finishing Net Returns

Each $0.10 increase in corn price results in an increase in feeding cost of gain of approximately $0.88.  In turn, each $1 increase in feeding cost of gain results in a $5.56 per head decrease in cattle finishing net returns. 

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Impact of Higher Corn Prices On Feeding Cost of Gain for Cattle Finishing

Given that the U.S. stocks to use ratio is currently only 9.2 percent and continued questions related to U.S. corn acreage in 2021, there is tremendous uncertainty regarding corn prices for the rest of this year.  To address this uncertainty, this article examines the impact of relatively high corn prices on feeding cost of gain for cattle finishing.

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The Importance of Managing Hog Operation Feed Costs

It comes as no surprise that feed costs on hog operations have risen sharply since last summer. May 2021 Chicago Board of Trade corn futures prices hit their summer low settlement price last August at $3.46. In early March, May 2021 corn futures were trading near $5.40, an increase of over 50 percent in just…

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China’s Pork Sector Continues to Impact U.S.

The biggest year-over-year increase in pork shipments was to mainland China, which more than doubled in 2020. Pork exports to China during 2020 accounted for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. pork exports, up from a market share of just 14 percent in 2019.

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Cattle Finishing Net Returns Prospects for 2021

COVID-19 and fluctuating fed cattle and feed prices resulted in another challenging year for cattle finishers. This article updates feeding cost of gain, breakeven prices, and net return estimates for 2020 and provides projections for the first half of 2021.

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Cattle Finishing Net Returns in 2020

This article discussed recent trends in feeding cost of gain, the feeder to fed price ratio, breakeven prices, and cattle finishing net returns. Average cattle finishing losses in 2019 were estimated to be approximately $80 per head. Average losses for 2020 are projected to be approximately $85 per head.

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Pork Export Strength Reliant on China

World pork markets have been disrupted the last couple of years, first by African Swine Fever (ASF) in China followed by a U.S.-China trade dispute and then, in 2020, by the coronavirus.

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Explaining Fluctuations in DDG Prices

To help explain fluctuations in distiller’s dried grains (DDGs) prices, this article examines the relationship between DDG prices, and corn and soybean meal prices.

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Ag Outlook Webinar

Recorded June 12, 2020 | Purdue agricultural economists Michael Langemeier and James Mintert provide an updated ag outlook, which includes information from USDA’s June WASDE report along with updated profitability estimates for corn and soybeans. The webinar also addressed questions regarding eligibility for and assistance provided by USDA’s CFAP program.

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Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Application Details

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) from producers who have suffered losses. Indiana FSA Director Steve Brown and staff join Jim Mintert for a discussion on eligibility requirements, payment rates and application details of the 2020 CFAP program.

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