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Let the CAB Cattle Crew keep you up to date on what’s happening in the beef community. We’ll share industry insights to help you maximize your profit potential.
Latest headlines
Best of both worlds
Brian Bertelsen, U.S. Premium Beef (USPB) vice president, spoke at the Beef Improvement Federation’s recent online symposium, covering everything from hot carcass weight to quality grade targets. This article shares the data that shows what’s really possible.
Beef’s paradigm shift should continue, Rishel says
Innovation presents the option to accept or turn down, said Bill Rishel, longtime Nebraska Angus producer, at the online 52nd Annual Beef Improvement Federation Symposium. He challenged listeners to see change as an opportunity for progress.
Lights, camera, cook!
The COVID-19 pandemic and its lack of options for dining out changed the home kitchen’s role in daily lives. With society running on a new schedule, chefs at the Certified Angus Beef® brand explored different ways to connect with consumers. CAB Chefs Michael Ollier and Gavin Pinto started by meeting consumers where they are—in the comfort of their homes.
CAB intern Herring draws on passion, heritage, education
CAB summer intern Maeley Herring has a rich understanding of the cattle business and the heart to match. The Texas Tech University graduate will share cattlemen’s stories by drawing on her Texas family ranching heritage and personal experiences to connect people with ideas.
New thresholds for Targeting the Brand™
Breeders and bull studs use the Targeting the Brand™ logo to denote bulls that excel in the marbling EPD and the Grid Dollar Value Index. The genetic requirements were recently updated: so that commercial cow-calf producers better find sires that help them hit CAB brand specifications.
Field trips to the farm
Have you ever wished everybody in your social circle could visit a farm or ranch? They could see what cattle eat, what chores look like, and all about animal care. With virtual learning skyrocketing during COVID-19, it sparked inspiration. Bring the ranch to the people.
Black Ink
Faith and flexibility
Mom and Dad took care of us first in times of crisis, knowing everything else would follow. As this worldwide pandemic brings another chain reaction and disruption that seemingly came out of nowhere, I find myself struggling in this career. They say, “Hindsight is 20/20,” but when looking back on 2020, I hope it shows faith and flexibility carried us through.
This too shall pass
There are no words that will take away the devastating slap of a market drop, the pain of a postponed bull sale or the exhausting frustration that things feel out of control. The page will eventually turn and the world will still need great beef and those who raise it.
Videos: Industry Updates
Genetic demand starts with consumers
June 23, 2020
Art and Stacy Butler include high-quality carcass traits in their seedstock so that their commercial customers may earn a premium.
Simple techniques, big results
Reimagining liver health in beef cattle
Above and beyond nutrition
Cattle Crew Views
Beefed up findings
Frank Mitloehner presents his findings on the animal ag sector’s impact on global warming. He explains how cattle counterbalance other fossil fuel sectors, proving that cattle are a solution and not a threat.
This too shall pass
There are no words that will take away the devastating slap of a market drop, the pain of a postponed bull sale or the exhausting frustration that things feel out of control. The page will eventually turn and the world will still need great beef and those who raise it.
Speaking of meat
CAB chefs and meat scientists are so good at sharing their know-how that a whole range of listeners will sign on from city streets to ranch sand hills and beyond. Now find their expertise in their new podcast “Meat Speak”.
The stories that barn could tell
Every barn means something to the people who spend so much of their lives in it, but it takes sharing those moments with the rest of the world. Sheltering Generations does that and gives back to rural communities.
CAB Insider
Outlook for heifer retention and cow numbers
Packers have proven capable of not only large weekly production but of daily headcounts on par or larger than a year ago. The turnaround in the cattle cycle and the abnormalities of 2020 will further incentivize producers to shrink the nation’s herd.
Out front sales leap
With increased boxed product supplies comes a strong demand from the buying side to secure previously scarce supplies. These days, price is more favorable for end users. Fed cattle supplies are overwhelming and packer margins still leave room for boxes to be marked cheaper on larger production volume.
Picking up the pace
Federally inspected headcounts have seen rapid recovery since the lows experienced in April. For the past two weeks, the FI harvested headcount has been 86% and 89% of the same two weeks a year ago. Fed cattle prices have remained steady, averaging $116/cwt., with carcass weights steadily creeping higher.
Grid values improve, grade runs high
From a beef demand perspective, nothing is normal as we are just a week removed now from all-time cutout highs. However, end-users are still buying what beef they can and consumers are generally clearing meat case inventories.
Watch the CAB Market Report
From beef sales trends to grid nuances, CAB experts from across the company discuss how to market matters to you.