Tyson Foods becomes first U.S. food company to verify sustainable cattle production practices at scale

https://www.tysonfoods.com/news/news-releases/2020/9/tyson-foods-becomes-first-us-food-company-verify-sustainable-cattle?fbclid=IwAR1Y67M_TdMI_pp0UsnNbkvu7nEfYoU1PeEExf9VkX-LqWq33nfcL-iFOZc

• On Wednesday, Tyson Foods announced its work to verify sustainable beef production practices on more than 5 million acres of cattle grazing land in the U.S.
  • This will be the largest beef transparency program in the U.S. and goes along with Tysons’ focus to feed the world while taking care of people, planet and animals.
• Tyson Foods will source cattle from BeefCARE-verified beef producers who are committed to raising cattle using practices that not only positively impact the land and animals, but also want to promote it.
  • BeefCARE is a third-party sustainability verification program for cattle ranchers. Its standards include practices such as having a cattle grazing management plan to help promote vegetative growth and diversity, water availability and quality, prevent/reduce soil erosion, and support carbon sequestration.
  • So far, more than 200 ranches are enrolled in the program with plans to expand the program over the next several years.
  • BeefCARE is recognized by the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.
• Tyson Foods will also work with The Nature Conservancy to ensure improved management of grasslands and rangelands.
• Sasha Gennet, director of Sustainable Grazing Lands for The Nature Conservancy in North America, stated that Tyson is setting a great example of a company that is taking proactive steps to achieve a sustainable beef system that supports farmers and ranchers while improving our critical natural resources.
• According to Tyson Foods, sustainability throughout the food system is fundamental to their core values.

Profit Tracker: Margins underwater again

https://www.drovers.com/article/profit-tracker-margins-underwater-again

• After one week of cattle feeders experiencing profits, margins have made their way back into the red.
• Average negotiated cash cattle prices have fallen $2, resulting in the average feedyard closeout showing losses of $42 per head, according to the Sterling Beef Profit Tracker.
  • Closeouts have fallen $91 per head compared to last week’s average profit of $134 per head.
• Packers are now seeing profits of $439 per head, an increase of $9, even though the boxed beef cutout fell $2 to about $225 per cwt.
• A year ago the first week of September, feeders saw cash losses of $119 per head, while packers saw profits of $429 per head

Beef and pork exports rebound, but remain below 2019 levels

https://www.meatingplace.com/Industry/News/Details/94279

• July beef exports totaled 107,298 metric tons, down 9 percent from 2019. These exports equated a value of $647.8 million, the highest since March, but still down 10 percent from last year.
  • On a per head basis, beef’s export value was at $280.40 in July, down 5 percent from year-ago levels.
• For pork, exports totaled 222,035 metric tons, down 5 percent from last year. These exports were valued at $548.3 million, down 12 percent from 2019.
  • On a per head basis, pork’s export value was $48.85 in July, down 17 percent from 2019.

Boxed beef prices

www.nationalbeefwire.com

• Choice boxed beef: $222.95 (-1.87)
• Select boxed beef: $207.51 (-0.95)