Market outlook

[Rod]

Any thoughts on the market trend, I'm holding alot of calves cause i'm not to thrilled about the market presently.

 

[rockridgecattle]

right now where we are it's a crap shoot

 

[rkm]

I know the northeast is a poor place to be in the cow calf business. But I went to a feeder sale a couple of weeks ago and watched good hereford steer calves struggle to bring $.60. Same calves a year ago probably $1.00. Hard to watch.

 

[angie1]

Given the drought here this summer, I am surprised to see cattle prices around here holding steady to last year. A friend of mine is looking for hay and said she would be willing to pay more ~ she just can't find any for sale.

Farmer down the road from us sold all but a few of his cattle this summer and is selling the hay that he harvested. Said his hay is worth more before it goes into the cows than the turn around on the cattle.

That being said, cattle are still bringing a fair price here.

As to the future............?

 

[Jogeephus]

I'm betting on the market rebounding once all the drought culling is over. There are a lot of people who have sold down their numbers in response to the drought. I think most will buy back when weather corrects itself some. Also think this methanol thing is going to play out and corn prices will correct itself some. I'm expanding so I hope I'm right.

 

[grannysoo]

If you can afford to hold and feed them, you probably should. Everybody's culling right now. Dry as a bone here, no grass, and hay is going to get expensive.

My thoughts are that they will probably go down a little more before they go back up. Everyone can't keep selling forever.....

I'm buying now.

 

[backhoeboogie]

A friend of mine is looking for hay and said she would be willing to pay more ~ she just can't find any for sale.

We went through our droughts and cullings the last two years. Now everyone here is short on cattle. We have surplus hay but you cannot find good cattle with ear for decent prices. The cows at the salebarn locally are not good for this hot environment and they are still fetching too many nickels. Saw some brangus cows bring a premium two weeks ago. I got out of the bidding early on.

 

[mnmtranching]

Sounds like the heavier weight calves are doing OK, but the lighter calves are down about 20$ from Oct.

Corn is going up, and feedlots are lowering what they will pay to compensate for higher feed costs.

I don't look for the light feeders to gain $ anytime soon.

A early Spring, with ample rain should help. The big thing is feed costs.

What we need is a 14-15 billion bushel corn crop in 08. You will see feeders Sky High $.