November

Previous Issues

• Sept 09
• August 09
• July 09
• June 09
• May 09
• April 09
• March 09
• February 09
• January 09

October Cattle on Feed (10/16/09)
Cattle placements in September were up 5% while marketings were down 4% leading to a 1% increase in feedlot inventories. This is the first year over year increase in cattle inventories in 16 months. Lighter feeder cattle placemtents were up and heavier cattle placents are down after a season of good growing conditons through most of the cattle grazing regions. Cattle placements in Iowa were up 30% from last year, putting the state inventory up 9% from a year ago. Encouraged by the prospects of a good corn crop and potential profits next summer (Mar-Jun; see Crush Margin) feeders are bringing in cattle.

Dairy October Outlook (10/05/09)
Dairy outlook from Robert Tigner at University of Nebraska

Swine Margin Forecasts (10/01/09)
The hog finishing margin tracker produced by ISU has been updated to the current futures prices, since the release of the Sept. Hog & Pig Report. The outlook for for the next three months looks dismal for hog finishing sector, with the swine crush margin turning negative. A $50 margin is possible as soon as mid-summer of next year. Click here to view current cruch margins

September Hog and Pig Report Summary (09/25/09)

September Cattle Feeding Opportunities (09/22/09)
There may be opportunities for feeding calves purchased this fall based on current feeder prices and lower feed prices. Full article

September Report (09/15/09)
USDA released updates on world and U.S. supply and demand for corn and soybeans on Sept. 11th.  Projected national soybean yields came in at 42.3 bushels per acre, up 0.6 bushels from last month and up 2.7 bushels from last year.  The delay in soybean development continues to be the main reason for concern, but the soybean crop conditions are remaining strong.  Projected production is at a record 3.245 billion bushels.  The projection for the national average corn yield is up to 161.9 bushels per acre, up 2.4 bushels from last month and up 8 bushels from last year.  That brings projected corn production up to 12.95 billion bushels, only 84 million bushels off of the 2007 record.  For Iowa, projected yields are 187 bushels per acre for corn and 52 bushels per acre for soybeans.

The USDA demand estimates for soybeans showed small increases in crush and export demand, 20 million bushels for crush and 15 million bushels for exports.  The changes keep projected 2009 exports at a record high.  But in a reversal of last month’s pattern, the supply increase outweighed the demand boost and 2009/10 ending stocks rose to 220 million bushels, up 10 million from last month.  The projected 2009/10 season-average price is set at $9.10 per bushel, down 20 cents from last month.  For corn, feed and export demand led the way.  Feed demand is raised 50 million bushels, while export demand is projected to gain another 100 million.  Ethanol demand was increased, but it was for the 2008 crop, up 25 million bushels to 1.695 billion.  As with soybeans, the supply increase more than offset the demand changes and 2009/10 ending stocks increased to 1.635 billion bushels.  USDA’s midpoint estimate for the 2009/10 national season-average price is $3.35 per bushel, down 15 cents from last month.