The monthly milk production report was released this week with revisions to the U.S. cow herd up 8 thousand head from the previous estimate in July.  August came in even with the previous month at 9.360 million dairy cows in the U.S.

On September 10, 2020 Germany confirmed a case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in a wild boar along its border with Poland. Less than a week later the number of confirmed cases has reached seven, all in wild boars, but no cases have been detected in domestic hogs. Once news of the ASF case broke, major pork importing countries of China, South Korea, and Japan responded by suspending imports of pork and live pigs from Germany. According to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), ASF must be reported due to its ability to spread rapidly in pig populations.

Last year, the Holcomb, KS fire set up the perfect storm for beef wholesale cut prices to rise, with a shorter supply and a robust economy.  Ribeyes, chucks, rounds, and tenderloins all saw notable price increases last year.  The LMIC retail all fresh beef demand index (base year 2000) saw a strong increase in beef demand, registering 117 and the highest fourth quarter since the base year.  The second largest fourth quarter was in 2004.