Shannon Bellis

📊 USDA Cattle on Feed Report: Key Market Takeaways 🐂 USDA has finally released updated Cattle on Feed data following the shutdown, offering a clearer view of where the market stands. Despite recent industry pressures—tariff uncertainty, calls for lower beef prices, and Tyson’s upcoming Lexington, NE plant closure—the COF numbers were mostly in line with expectations: 🔻 Placements: Down 10% 🔻 Marketings: Down 8% 🔻 Cattle on feed: Down 1.6% YoY The biggest talking point: heifers on feed. ✨ 4.355 million heifers as of Oct. 1 ✨ 245,000 fewer than last year ✨ Lowest October total since 2018 ✨ Fifth straight quarter of YoY declines Some see this as early evidence of future expansion—but analysts note that much of the decline stems from sharp drops in Mexican spayed heifer imports (381K last year → 79K this year). At 38.1% heifers on feed, we’re still above the 36–37% “neutral zone,” meaning liquidation continues, not true retention. Another notable shift: 📍 Nebraska surpassed Texas in total cattle on feed—only the 10th time in 33+ years—driven largely by reduced Mexican feeder imports. Meanwhile, steers on feed increased, supported by longer days on feed despite shrinking cow numbers. 👉 For market insights and sourcing support, connect with Protein Specialists. We help you navigate today’s protein landscape with confidence. #BeefIndustry #CattleMarket #CattleOnFeed #LivestockEconomics #MarketUpdate #ProteinSpecialists #AgEconomics #Agribusiness #MeatIndustry #CommodityMarkets

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𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 The Bulletin reaches an influential, decision-making readership with a direct stake in the beef industry. Audience includes seedstock and commercial producers, stud principals and managers, agribusiness professionals, service providers and rural decision-makers. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟯 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗞𝗶𝘁 👉 https://lnkd.in/eH_hFUB4

Introducing the Iowa Corn Quarterly Update – a new audio series focused on sharing timely insights into the projects and priorities of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and Iowa Corn Growers Association. Released every few months, these updates feature conversations directly from farmer-led issue committees who are working to strengthen long-term corn grower profitability. 🌽🎙️ In this first update, hear from the Industrial Usage and U.S. Production Committee on low-carbon ethanol and fertilizer initiatives, along with an update from the Exports & Grain Trade Committee on Iowa Corn’s partnership with the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. Listen to the full episode ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gZGNXKNy Just want to listen to part of it? Visit our YouTube for specific topic updates ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g-8cSnpS

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Oklahoma’s agriculture sector has reached a new milestone, recording $1.2 billion in exports in 2025. Driven by strong demand for wheat and beef, along with new trade agreements across Asia, the state’s agribusiness industry has seen revenues climb by 18%. This surge is boosting local businesses, creating jobs, and strengthening Oklahoma’s economy — a testament to hard work, smart policy, and the enduring strength of the state’s rural roots. https://lnkd.in/gKm4mtSJ

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If you work in ag finance, you already know: Texas cattle country is in a league of its own. We lead the nation in cattle inventory with nearly 12 million head, almost double the next closest state. With more than half of the state’s ag products tied to beef, the cattle industry is central to Texas agriculture. And yet, market price volatility remains one of the most under-managed risks in livestock operations. Producers put years into building their herds, only to have a market swing erode their margins at sale time. Livestock Risk Protection insurance exists specifically for this. LRP protects against declining market prices without capping profit potential when markets move in your favor — coverage that applies to fed cattle, feeder cattle, lamb, and swine. It’s a straightforward tool that too few producers are taking full advantage of. If you advise or work alongside livestock producers in Texas, it’s worth knowing what’s available to them. Our insurance specialists can walk through coverage options tailored to them.

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Agronomist Jeffrey Kleypas is checking on cabbage in South Texas, describing how AEA's systems approach finds the solutions that matter and can really make a difference for farmers.

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Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted export gains, lower production costs and safety net expansions at the USDA Ag Outlook Forum, even as farmers face price pressure and trade uncertainty heading into 2026. https://lnkd.in/gafkDFAZ

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