The combination of substantial $/cwt changes in cattle market prices since the start of this year coupled with the sheer amount of money at stake in each managerial and marketing decision continues to magnify producer interest in current information regarding supply and demand fundamentals.
After experiencing the market trend upward seemingly every week of 2014, cattle producers should be prepared for a little more normal market pattern in 2015.
USDA’s April cattle on feed report said the number of steers on feed was up 5.4% at the start of April while the number of heifers in large feedlots was down 10.1%.
All market classes of beef cattle are at record high levels for this time of the year, but are lower than the all-time record highs established in the last half of 2014.
