• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Why Join
    • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Partners
    • FAQs
    • Newsroom
    • Sponsorships
    • Employment
  • What We Do
    • Theft and Law
    • Issues and Policy
    • Education
    • Students and Young Professionals
    • The Cattleman Magazine
    • Disaster Relief Fund
    • Cattle Raisers Insurance
    • Cattle Raisers Trading Co
  • Events
    • Cattle Raisers Convention
    • Policy Conference
    • Summer Meeting
    • Ranch Gatherings
    • Ranching 101
  • Join
  • Member Center
  • TSCRA Store
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Cow-calf Corner: Prepare for marketing calves this fall

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

With Labor Day behind us, it is a good time to prepare for marketing calves this fall.  The majority of beef calves are spring born, which typically leads to a large fall run of calves.  Auction volumes have been larger than usual this summer as the drought in many regions has forced early calf sales.  Nevertheless, significant numbers of calves will be marketed before the end of the year. 

Weaned calves bring a significantly higher price than bawling calves at auction.  Although 30 days is considered a minimum for weaning, buyers strongly prefer calves to be weaned at least 45 days.  Recent data and preliminary analysis suggest that weaning periods of 60, 75 and up to 90 days or more bring additional premiums.  Longer weaning periods provide more time for calves to recover from the stress of weaning, develop better health and immunity, and to learn to eat from bunks. 

Basic calf management such as castration and dehorning were hopefully done at branding, but any late calves missed at branding should be done well ahead of marketing time.  Deworming at weaning may also be indicated depending on location and pasture conditions.  Two rounds of clostridial and respiratory vaccinations should be given.  If calves were vaccinated at branding, a booster can be given at weaning, otherwise vaccinations can be done pre-weaning and weaning or weaning and post-weaning.  Vaccination for Pasteurella at weaning is also recommended.   

Each of the above practices adds value to calves and the value of all the practices combined in a complete pre-conditioning program is higher than individual practices.  Even more value may be captured if calves are enrolled in a certified pre-conditioning program that provides documentation and assurance to buyers that these practices have been properly done.  The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network (OQBN) is one such program.  Information on the OQBN program is found at https://extension.okstate.edu/programs/oklahoma-quality-beef-network/.

The schedule of upcoming OQBN sales is also found at this website.  The 60-day weaning deadline for the early OQBN sales occurs in the next few days.

Typically, calf prices reach the seasonal low around October.  However, calf prices have moved counter-seasonally higher this summer as part of a general trend of higher cattle prices.  That trend is expected to continue and is reflected in Feeder Cattle futures prices.  Table 1 shows Feeder Futures prices for the coming months from October to August 2023.  The futures prices show a roughly $14/cwt. uptrend in prices in the next year.  When adjusted for Oklahoma City basis (local cash minus feeder futures price), the expected prices for 450- and 750-pound steers for the coming months are shown in Table 1.  For example, the November Feeder futures price in Table 1 is $186.20/cwt. The November price of 450-pound steers (M/L No. 1) in Oklahoma City have historically averaged $33.72/cwt. higher than November Feeder Futures (basis) leading to an expected November price of $219.92/cwt. (The combined auction cash price in late August was $211.49/cwt.)   Of course, futures prices adjust constantly and there is no guarantee that actual cash prices will match these expected prices.  However, futures prices and corresponding expected Oklahoma prices may provide some guidance for marketing plans and expectations and provide the foundation for risk management programs for calves or retained feeder cattle.    

Table 1.  Feeder Futures Prices and Expected Oklahoma Feeder Prices

2-Sep-22Nearby Futures:$183.90
Futures
Month
Feeder
Futures
450 lb. Steers
Basis*
450 lb. Steers
Expected Price
750 lb. Steers
Basis*
750 lb. Steers
Expected Price
October$185.07$23.93$209.00$0.60$185.67
November$186.20$33.72$219.92$0.79$186.99
January$187.12$41.89$229.01$1.07$188.19
March$189.30$48.54$237.84$3.45$192.75
May$194.00$41.67$235.67$4.34$198.34
August$199.50$29.10$228.60$1.40$200.90
*2017-2021 average

Written by:
Jaclyn Roberts
Published on:
September 6, 2022

Categories: TSCRA Update

Recent Posts

TSCRA commends Secretary Rollins and USDA on Texas sterile fly facility

June 18, 2025

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 18, 2025)— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced …

Continue Reading about TSCRA commends Secretary Rollins and USDA on Texas sterile fly facility

Crime watch: Brangus bull missing in Fayette County

June 13, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Kenny Murchison, District 20 in …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Brangus bull missing in Fayette County

Crime watch: Cattle missing in Freestone County

June 13, 2025

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Chace Fryar, District 21 in East …

Continue Reading about Crime watch: Cattle missing in Freestone County

Footer

Who We Are

Why Join
Leadership
Staff
Partners
FAQs
Newsroom
Sponsorships
Employment

What We Do

Theft and Law
Issues and Policy
Education
Students and Young Professionals
The Cattleman Magazine
Cattle Raisers Insurance
Cattle Raisers Trading Co.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Information

Cattle Raisers Blog
News Releases
Bereavements
Events
Sponsorships & Advertisement
Tip Hotline
Get Involved
Links

Membership

Membership Center
Membership Center Instructions
Join
Renew
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PO BOX 101988
FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

© 2023 Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; All Rights Reserved.

COPYRIGHT | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE