I'll be honest, I started writing up today's thoughts, I made it half way through, and then I deleted it all. You can't make this shit up. You can't make up the stupidity in our government. You can't make up the timing of it all. You can't make up a single plausible reason anyone with an ounce of common sense would go down the path they're choosing. "Hey, I'm from the government and I'm here to help" is the only thing that comes to mind. FFS, how do we get the government to stop meddling in our markets and let the markets fix themselves? This all started because of the government. I can't believe anyone believes the government is going to fix it. It's truly laughable today, and honestly sad for future generations. The market was in the process of creating more supply by encouraging heifer retention. The market was in the process of curbing demand, which long term leads to price relief for consumers. Here ya go- Hey Uncle Sam, why don't you come speed up the process of bringing down prices. Maybe that will encourage some heifer retention. Hey Uncle Sam, why don't you force our ranchers to be competitive with the ranchers in South America by importing more beef? Maybe that will encourage industry growth. Hey Uncle Sam, why don't you investigate the packers when they're losing $300/hd? I'm sure there's investors begging to get into the meat packing business now. I have an idea. Hey Uncle Sam, why don't you force more verticle integration and consolidation by getting more involved in the last remaining free market and least subsidized industry that exists? Hey Uncle Sam, my phone number is listed below. Why don't you call and explain to me how your stupid way of thinking is actually going to help? If you can help me understand, I'll be happy to write an apology letter tomorrow and inform everyone how I was wrong. I'll be waiting by the phone but I doubt it rings.

-Fat cattle kill at 102,000 vs 98,000 a week ago and 97,000 a year ago

-Choice boxes up 2.83 to $391.22 and select up 6.48 to $391.49 for a spread of -.27 on 102 loads

-CME feeder index(Feeder LRP Settlement) for 5/7 came in at $374.83

-Fed Cattle LRP’s ending last week settled at $258.73

-Hog kill at 462,000 vs 479,000 a week ago and 463,000 a year ago.

-Afternoon Pork reported down .58 at $96.98 on 295 loads

-CME lean hog index on 5/7 reported at 90.79

-CME pork cutout index on 5/8 reported at 96.35

-LRP’s ending 5/11 settled at approximately $90.42

BRAZIL: RGD will see 1”-2”. Parana to southern Minas Gerais to eastern MGD will see 2”-4”… Upgrade account to read the rest.