The Cattleman Update

For the week ending May 11, 2013, feeder cattle prices reported by Texas auctions ranged from $10 lower to $5 higher per hundredweight (cwt) compared to the previous week. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were $3 to $7 lower and the Oklahoma City National Stockyards were steady to $4 lower. In many locations, heavier-weight cattle were on the lower end of the price spectrum. Lower fed cattle markets, lower feeder cattle futures and continued negative cattle feeding margins pressured the market. However, tight supplies and improved pasture conditions in some areas were also supportive. more…

For the week ending April 20, 2013, feeder cattle prices reported by Texas auctions were mostly steady to $7 lower per hundredweight (cwt). However, a few sales later in the week reported prices steady to $3 higher on at least a portion of their offerings. Prices on lighter-weight calves again showed the biggest declines. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were $2 to $7 lower and the Oklahoma City National Stockyards were $2 to $6 lower. more…

For the week ending March 23, 2013, feeder cattle price trends reported by Texas auctions were mostly steady to as much as $8 lower, though a few locations also noted higher prices on at least a portion of their offerings. The Oklahoma City National Stockyards were $1 to $3 lower on feeders and $3 to $6 lower on calves, while Texas direct feeder cattle sales were steady to $4 lower. more…

For the week ending March 9, 2013, feeder cattle price trends reported by Texas auctions varied from $5 lower per hundredweight (cwt) to $5 higher. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were mostly steady. The Oklahoma City National Stockyards were up sharply from last week’s weather-shortened sale, but mostly steady to $2 lower compared to the last full sale two weeks ago. Tight supplies continue to support the feeder cattle market, but negative feedlot margins are also pressuring prices. Fed cattle cash prices were unchanged from the prior week in spite of higher beef prices. more…

For the week ending Feb. 23, 2013, feeder cattle prices reported by Texas auctions were uneven, from $7 lower to $6 higher per hundredweight (cwt), with most on the steady to lower end of that range. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were $3 to $8 lower. The Oklahoma City National Stockyards were mostly steady to $4 higher, except heifer calves were steady to $2 lower. more…

For the week ending Jan. 19, 2013, feeder cattle prices reported by Texas auctions were $5 lower to $10 higher per hundredweight (cwt) compared to the previous sale. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were $2 to $4 lower. The Oklahoma City National Stockyards were steady to $5 lower. Heavier-weight cattle experienced the biggest declines as lower fed cattle prices, falling cattle futures and higher grain prices pulled feedlot margins even lower. Fed cattle cash prices were more than $2 lower per cwt and wholesale beef prices were lower. more…

For the week ending Jan. 4, 2013, feeder cattle prices reported by Texas auctions were mostly steady to $4 higher per hundredweight (cwt) compared to pre-holiday sales. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were firm to $1 higher. The Oklahoma City National Stockyards were closed last week for the New Year’s holiday. Fed cattle cash prices were $1 higher per cwt and beef prices were higher. Cotton, grain sorghum, wheat and corn prices were lower compared to pre-holiday levels. more…

For the week ending Dec. 8, feeder cattle prices reported by Texas auctions were mostly $5 lower to $4 higher per hundredweight (cwt), with a few to $12 lower early in the week and some as much as $10 higher. Texas direct feeder cattle sales were steady to $1 higher. The Oklahoma City National Stockyards were steady to $2 higher on feeder cattle, but $4 to $6 lower on calves. more…