Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) Staff On August 11th, USDA-NASS lowered their 2011 crop production forecasts for major feedstuffs and the WAOB raised USDA’s price forecasts. The estimated national average corn yield was reduced to 153 bushels per acre, a decline of nearly 6 bushels from the month-earlier forecast and below industry expectations. The national […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) 700-800 feeder steer prices in the Southeastern US tend to reach their annual peak in July and August. This year appears to be following the same pattern. Unlike calf prices that saw a substantial price decline a few months ago, feeder prices have remained fairly stable. In addition to the seasonal […]

The following article is taken from the Cow-Calf Corner newsletter published by Oklahoma State University. Dr. Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist The on-going drought in the Southern Plains and surrounding regions is having immediate market impacts and, with each passing day is increasingly likely to have multi-year impacts in the […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) On April 21, USDA released its monthly Cattle on Feed (COF) report. While the report indicated a larger number of COF compared to a year ago, there is more to the story than many might think. For starters, the year over year increase really illustrates the impacts of the drought in […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) An interesting phenomenon that has been occurring during the recent run-up in feed prices has been the consistent spread in calf and feeder prices (see chart below). Back in 2008 when feed prices reached their historical highs, the spread between 500-600 pound steers and 700-800 pound steers narrowed to $3.52 per […]