Brownfield Ag News

· This week in the markets – Cash fed cattle are $1 lower this week, feeder cattle auctions were steady to $2 higher. Cattle futures were up this week. The December live cattle futures contract closed $2.80 higher and November feeder cattle closed up $2.40. The Choice box beef price was $5.25 higher this week with strength across the board. Barrow and gilt prices were $1.25 lower this week and the December lean hogs futures contract closed $2.70 lower this week. The Pork Cutout value closed $.80 this week due to weakness in the bellies. · Cold Storage – Total supply of beef in lockers was 8.5 percent below year-ago levels for September, while pork in cold storage was 1.6 percent higher than last year. Those are both supportive to cattle and hog prices. Hams were down nearly 13 million pounds relative to a year ago, likely due to strong export demand. Total beef, pork, chicken, and turkey was 116 million pounds below year-ago levels. Due in large part to a bett