Month: December 2015

Any News Suggesting Prices Have Bottomed?

– Stephen R. Koontz, Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Colorado State University

The main question I continue to get through this fall and early winter is: when will the plunge in the cattle market be over? The why of what’s been happening have been fairly well-discussed: heavy slaughter weights, large inventories of market-ready cattle, and the strong dollar. The strong domestic demand discussed by Dr. Tonsor in this column was present in the third quarter but it has not been enough. Further, weakness in the historically strong hamburger market suggests Continue reading →

Ohio Beef Cattle School Series Set to Begin January 19, 2016

The beef cattle industry is quickly evolving. Are you prepared to keep pace with it? We plan explore that evolution with three fast paced, forward thinking sessions being planned for the 2016 Ohio Beef Cattle School webinar series.

On January 19, 2016 the focus will be squarely on the markets and marketing including outlook, and risk management. Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, will kick off the program with Continue reading →

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Grazing Bites, December 2015

– Victor Shelton, NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

It is really starting to look more and more like winter. This is generally the time of year when things ought to slow down a little bit, but that never seems to happen much anymore. Winter is the time of year I like to catch up on reading. My reading time really gets whittled down during the growing season. So far this fall, I’ve continued to race the sun and not slow down much in risk of Continue reading →

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Feed Cost Outlook

– Brian R. Williams, Assistant Extension Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University

Last week Dr. Tonsor examined feedlot profitability using K-State’s Kansas Feedlot Net Return Series. According to the most recent estimates, Dr. Tonsor points out that we saw the largest estimated loss since the series began. There are two sides of the equation when it comes to profitability for both feedlots and cow-calf operations: revenue and costs. With harvest wrapped up across much of the country and many producers already planning for the year ahead, now is the perfect time to Continue reading →

BEEF 509: Awareness at a Whole New Level!

– Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County

Saying it simply, the objective of the 2016 edition of BEEF 509 remains “to raise awareness about the food we produce – BEEF.” Having been privileged to participate in one of the first classes of BEEF 509 eighteen years ago, I can testify that it, indeed, accomplishes ‘awareness’ for those who participate, and much more!

Held on the campus of The Ohio State University in the Department of Animal Sciences building, BEEF 509 is a fast-paced two day educational program featuring Continue reading →

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2015 OCA Replacement Female Sale Results

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) held their third Replacement Female Sale on November 27 at the Muskingum Livestock Auction Company in Zanesville, Ohio. A large crowd was on hand to bid on 111 high quality females in the sale. The sale represented an excellent opportunity for cow-calf producers to add quality females with documented breeding and health records to their herds and potentially take advantage of the positive economic outlook for the beef industry.

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Buyers had the opportunity to appraise Continue reading →

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Feedlot Profitability . . .

– Glynn T. Tonsor, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

Last week Dr. Brooks broke down the most recent USDA Cattle on Feed report noting how estimates overall were in line with pre-release expectations. Given the lack of surprises in this report, it is useful to re-examine the most recent estimates of closeouts offered in K-State’s Kansas Feedlot Net Return series to extend understanding of the current situation faced by feedlots. This report, which provides both historical and projected return information, released on November 11th indicates steers sold in September at a loss of $357/hd[1].

This is the largest estimated loss in the K-State series history (Figure 1). It is further important to note that Continue reading →