Latest News From Stocker

Cattle Markets Steady to Higher as Grilling Season Approaches

Cattle markets held steady to stronger as the seasonal bump in demand from Memorial Day, Father’s Day and 4th of July lies ahead.

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Considerations for Managing Stocker Cattle: Impacts on BRD

High cattle prices make it important to prevent stocker cattle from having bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

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Cattle Markets Sharply Lower

Cattle market fundamentals may remain favorable, but April’s expected rally has fizzled. Both feeder and fed cattle traded significantly lower this week, with cash fed cattle prices now $9 lower than just three weeks ago.

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Treatment Decisions

Diagnosing BRD is easy, says Mike Apley, Kansas State University microbiologist—as long as nobody’s checking your accuracy, that is.

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Feeder Price Slides Challenge Stocker Operators

The price slide between feeder cattle of various weights are setting extreme records this year

Pass the Salt: Beef Cattle Gains Increased in DDGS Study

DDGS plus salt as a self-fed supplement boosted cattle gains and curbed indirect expenses.

Analyzing Summer Grazing Strategies

Understanding and implementing grazing strategies can help maximize producers’ economic return.

Cattle Rally Stalls Despite Tight Supplies

The spring cattle rally stalled this week as cowboys and packers search for signs supporting ideas the market will conform to seasonal trends.

Cattle Market Rally Finding Its Legs

The spring cattle market rally was beginning to bloom this week, with yearling feeder cattle trading firm to $5 higher and instances of $6 to $8 higher.

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Precondition For Performance, Quality, Cash

It’s been talked about for 60 years. It’s better for animals, preferred by most cattle feeders and could provide a 169% return on investment.

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Stockers Shift to the Plains and Midwest

Environment and feed availability key factors to increase

Feeder Price Slides to Challenge Stocker Operators in 2015

The price slide between feeder cattle of various weights are settings records in the extreme this year. Producers must analyze costs and breakevens carefully.

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Cattle Markets Roar Into March

Cattle markets roared into March with a rally many believe was long overdue.

Maintaining Health throughout the Backgrounding Period

Even though calves may have been on a backgrounding program for several months, it doesn't mean they are safe from subsequent health issues later on in the feeding period.

Cattle Herds Increase; Shift to the Plains and Midwest

As the nation’s cowherd enters into an expansion, several key factors are at play, says Darrell Peel, ag economist, Oklahoma State University at the 2015 NCBA Cattlemen’s College.

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Adding Value to Calves by Grazing Corn Residue

Grazing calves on corn residue is a good alternative feed source for producers.

Market Highlights: Stocker Demand Strong

Demand for grass cattle has helped keep the price of weaned calves high.

Does Winter Backgrounding Present an Opportunity this Year?

It might be a good year to background some cattle this winter.

Matching Cattle Requirements to Available Feeds

What do cattle need for nutrients?

Stockers Rise Above Commodity Roots

Stocker cattle aren't just a commodity anymore.

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Stocker Gains more than 2.5 pounds per Head per Day Realized

Study compared rates of dry distiller’s grains of cattle on Tifton 85.

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Market Highlights: Fewer Cattle, More Money

Fewer cattle has led to profitability for feeders who can find cattle.

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Start Preparing for Winter Pastures

Now is the time to get your pastures ready for winter grazing.

Stocker Role in Beef Cattle Herd Rebuilding is a Topic at Sept. 25 K-State Field Day

Watering options and environmental impacts are also among presentations planned.

Market Highlights: Sink or Swim

The cattle markets have been in a bit of a sink or swim mode lately, and right now they're slowly sinking.

2014 Nebraska Cow-Calf and Stocker Rental Rates

The average rental rates per month for cow-calf pairs are about 20 to 25 percent higher in 2014 compared to 2013 in Nebraska.

Will Corn be a Viable Option for Backgrounders This Fall?

Corn should be a lot cheaper this fall, but will it be better than other alternative feed stuffs?

Cash Cattle Prices Follow Futures Lower

All classes of cattle and calves traded lower this week, pulled down by the bear’s strangle hold on the futures markets.

Cattle Rally Takes A Breather

After running uphill for three consecutive months, stocker and feeder markets fell lower amid light receipts.

Cattle Prices Climb in 2014
Cattle Prices Climb in 2014

When will the 2014 cattle markets hit their peak?

Feeder Cattle March Higher, Fed Cattle Retreat

Both cash fed cattle prices and the futures markets saw post-holiday weakness this week, but feeder cattle bids were higher again.

Texas A&M System Surveying Texas Stocker Cattle Industry

Responses will assist in planning future research and educational programming for Texas stocker cattle producers.

Feeder Market A Runaway, Futures Chase Cash

The cash-led bull market continues, with both fed cattle and feeder cattle posting sharp gains. Live cattle and feeder cattle futures also recorded advances, but still trail cash bids.

Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker Cattle Conference set July 29

The Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker Cattle Conference will be held July 29 in Wichita Falls, Texas, jointly hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

Cause and Effect for Stockers

How does management in the stocker phase affect feedlot and carcass performance?

Stocker to Feeder Scenarios

Taking a step back in time will help explain why stocker cattle are priced where they are.

Feeder Cattle Show Resilience, Fed Cattle Lower

Stocker and feeder markets continued to show strength in the fact of seasonal trends that suggest the market should move lower.

Spring/Summer Pasture Planning to Extend the Grazing Season

Learn how to add grazing days to your operation.

BeefTalk: Grass Turnout Date is More Than a Desire

In the production world, producing beef from grass depends on the development of grazing plans that allow plants to fully utilize their genetics that have evolved for centuries.

Kentucky Beef Market Dropped in March

The cattle market in Kentucky dropped during the month of March for calf prices and fed cattle prices.

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USDA: Feeders and Stockers Stay Stong, Calves Wane

Corbitt Wall gives the USDA Feeder and Stocker Cattle Summary for the week ending April 4.

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Grass Fever in Full Bloom; Fed Cattle Higher

Stocker and feeder cattle were called unevenly steady to $3 per cwt. higher for the week, though prices on popular weights leveled off after last week’s rally.

USDA: Cattle Market Still Bullish

Corbitt Wall gave the weekly USDA National Feeder Cattle Summary for the week ending March 14.

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Beef Prices Rally as Cash Fed Cattle Retreat

Weakness in futures markets this week spilled over into the cash markets, yet traders noted boxed beef prices pushed significantly higher.

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Feed Additives for Stocker Cattle

Beef producers have many options available to include in beef cattle diets that can offer many benefits in a small package.

The Role of Stocker Cattle Genetics and Process Verified Programs

Discussions of genetics typically focus on the cow calf producer, however genetics play just as much of a role in the stocker industry as they do cow/calf.

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Cattle Feeding Profits Top $280 Per Head

Record-high cash fed cattle prices helped boost cattle feeding margins over $280 per head last week.

USDA: Stockers Thin in the Skin Were Hot at the Auction

Corbitt Wall gave the weekly USDA Feeder and Stocker Cattle summary for the week ending Feb. 21.

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Mid-South Stocker Conference Features Virtual Tours, Research

Stocker cattle operators wishing to explore ideas for making their operations more efficient and profitable will want to attend this year’s Mid-South Stocker Conference Feb. 18-19 in Buchanan, Tenn.

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Cattle Prices Reach Another Record High

Packers came into the week bidding aggressively and the result was another week of record-high prices.