Will there ever be another bad day? It sure seems like the feeder cattle market can handle almost anything! $6.00 corn, $4.00 gas, the gloom and doom of the news, global warming, and too cold temps for planting or growing, it seems like the market can handle almost anything! Of course, that might change in a day!
The last rush of yearlings is upon us, with a few more cattle moving off of rye or graze out wheat. There isn’t a big rush of course, but there does seem to be a few cattle moving at the moment. It will be interesting to see how many cattle are available in the next few weeks, because it sure doesn’t look like there are very many around. A few pockets of cattle here and there, but certainly a lot more empty pastures than usual!
What is happening to all the private feeders? It seems like there are fewer and fewer individuals to buy yearlings and the big corporations are buying more and more. It also looks like the second cut of cattle, i.e. spotted, ill colored, non black, heifers, etc are really being discounted. If they get discounted as feeders, why don’t they get discounted at the supermarkets? It sure seems like select beef brings the same price as choice at the beef counter!
It’s sure nice to see the grass growing and the tree turning! There are still many areas that are in the brown, so to speak. Outside of central Oklahoma, and some other places that have gotten some rain, the grass is still brown and the trees are maybe just now beginning to bud! Grass pasture is definitely at a premium this year, with lots of folks losing leases or selling! It’s very hard to find any pasture at the moment, but a little sunshine and moisture might change that1
There are still lots of opportunities in the cattle industry. The futures board makes it look like feeders may be worth good money this fall, and some of the stocker cattle are bringing less than the board. One thing that’s really interesting is seeing eight and nine weight steers bringing well over $100.00, and the same weight of heifers bringing either side of $90.00. They both eat the same corn, they both bring the same fat, yet the heifers are sure discounted to the steers, and well discounted from the futures board!
NEXT WEEK AT WINTER LIVESTOCK IN ENID:
Eric Edwards 150 Angus sired strs/hfrs, home raised, 700-1000lbs
Edwards Ranch 200 Ang/Lim/Charx steers, off rye, 800-900 lbs
Sonny Bode 150 Ang/Charx heifers, off rye, gtd open, 800-900 lbs
Jeff Hartless 100 Eng/Exotx strs/hfrs, off grass, 600-750 lbs
END OF THE MONTH COW SALE, MAY 27, 2008:
BAR BOX RANCH 400 Fancy, Angus, Ang/Charx cows, 3-8 yrs, bred Ang/Char
Several pairs, with lots of heavy bred and fall calvers
WLS FARMS 200 Ang/Angx pairs, bred cows, 2-10 yrs old
