Some market analysts are telling cattle feeders that the world will be their oyster for the next three to five years.  Tight supplies and strong beef demand likely will keep fed cattle prices high while climatologists expect a period of at least adequate rain that should keep feed production up and prices low. However, those … Read More

Slaughter steer prices in the Southern Plains last week took an unexpected turn upward as profitable packer margins and an impending long holiday weekend encouraged packers to pay up.  It could be the start of a trail of seasonal price stability into December. The five-year average of USDA Southern Plains fed cattle prices flattens out … Read More

Managed money continues to divest itself of live cattle contracts, dropping its net long position to its lowest point since the second week of January. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission reported that for the week ended Aug. 26, managed money reduced its net long position to 93,413 contracts, its third straight week of declines and … Read More

As the price of feeder cattle climbs, it’s hard to imagine how the calves will break even for those planning to put them on feed, but there are times when they do “pencil out.” Feeder steers and heifers at the Oklahoma City Stockyards Monday were steady to $1.00 per cwt lower with medium and large … Read More

As the feeder cattle market competes for steers and heifers to fill feedlots and satisfy beef demand, cow/calf producers considering herd expansion are finding themselves on the horns of a dilemma. Ranchers have three herd-sizing choices: expand, reduce or hold steady.  If they want to expand, they have two more choices: retain heifers or sell … Read More

Federally inspected cattle slaughter is moving in a sideways pattern, following the five-year average in form but at a much lower level and reflecting the diminished number of fed cattle available to the market. The broad seasonal trends in US cattle slaughter are very entrenched, showing sharp dips during annual holiday weeks and peaks and … Read More

Fed cattle last week traded in a range $152 to mostly $153 per cwt on a live basis and $241 to $243, mostly $242, on a dressed basis.  Both were down about $2 from the previous week as feeders pushed heavy cattle into the market and packer buyers toned down their buying enthusiasm. Cash prices … Read More