Calf Run In Full-Swing, Prices Mixed
The fall run of calves to auction markets is in full swing as the number of feeder cattle weighing over 600 pounds offered at auctions dipped below 40% last week.
The fall run began a “week earlier than the last two years with drought in the upper Midwest and Northern Plains being the underlying reason,” according to Agricultural Marketing Service reporters.
Steer and heifer calf prices were called uneven at $2 lower to $3 higher.
“Demand was reported as moderate to good, depending on lot conditions and vaccination status of calves,” AMS said.
“The cow herd is in contraction mode this year as the drought and tough economic factors have made ranchers search for ways to keep the cowherd together,” AMS said. “Preliminary data from NASS puts the beef cow slaughter rate at around 9% more than a year ago and near 20% more than the previous 5-year average.”
Heifer slaughter is 4.3% more than last year and 10.7% more than the previous 5-year average.
Auction receipts totaled 218,500 head last week, compared to 219,800 the previous week and 243,900 last year.
On Monday, December live cattle futures fell 52.5 cents to $125.45 per hundredweight, while November feeder cattle fell $2.075 to $159.35, the lowest settlement since $158.125 on Oct. 6.
