How Many U.S. Beef Cows Are There and Where Are They?
Harlan Hughes, Extension Livestock Economist NDSU Extension Service Low slaughter cattle prices are having a profound affect on current feeder cattle prices. My analysis of beef cattle inventories suggests that current feeder cattle prices are undervalued. Beef cow producers need to stay on top of this cattle market to ensure that they do not sell undervalued 1998-born feeder calves or undervalued 1997-born feeder cattle. My projections indicate that 1999 should be the year of the upturn in feeder cattle prices. My current budgets suggest that today’s grass yearlings are currently undervalued and should be the first group of feeder cattle that will turn the slaughter cattle market from red ink to profits. Fast-track 1998 feeder calves (to be weaned at 600 pounds plus) are the second group of undervalued feeder cattle and are projected to slaughter in spring 1999 for a profit. The marketing of traditional-weight 1998 calves that will slaughter during the summer of 1999 maybe a little mo
