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 […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) Calf prices have continued their meteoric climb. Since the first of the year, 500-600 pound calf prices have averaged almost $125 per hundredweight. For some perspective, this is 27 percent higher or $26 per hundredweight more than for the same time period last year. More importantly, these higher prices translate into […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) 500 pounds calves sell for $125/cwt. plus! Slaughter cattle selling for $105+, what could possibly go wrong? Plenty. The chart below shows the very strong relationship between corn supplies and prices. Given what we know about the tight global grain supplies, producers are strongly encouraged to keep a close eye on […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) Recently calf prices have been the highest in several years. The primary driver behind the higher calf (and slaughter cattle) prices has been the very strong wholesale price of beef. The boxed beef cutout value is the industry term for the weighted-average wholesale price of beef. In other words, the different […]

Dr. Curt Lacy (UGA) On Friday, January 28, USDA released the annual Cattle report. This year’s report had several interesting findings. Total beef cows that had calved were reported to be 30.86 million head, down 2 percent from last year. Heifers held as beef replacements totaled 5.16 million down 5 percent from 2010. Overall, the […]