When it comes to the cattle markets, conversations about New World Screwworm continue. In May, a rumor of the pest in Missouri caused a day of uncertain prices. While the rumor is untrue, the USDA continues to invest in prevention practices. They have announced another $8 ½ million will be put towards the program to control the parasite.
With a vigilant eye on New World Screwworm and working to maintain US cattle supply, the USDA will be slowly opening some border ports for cattle to come across the southern border. Cattle supplies continue to stay tight. It is especially seen in the feeder cattle which, ultimately, impacts our feedlot populations into 2026.
The USDA Acreage Report provided no major price movements to the market. Although there was a slight reduction in corn and soybean acres from March totals, both were close to expectations.
“Both of them (corn and soybeans) were very very close to expectations,” says John Heinberg, principal with EverAg. “The market just didn’t handle it (the report) in terms of any major price movement.”
Heinberg notes that a little addition in wheat acres brought slight disappointment. When it comes to grain stocks, corn grain stocks aligned with expectations, and did not move the market.
