Louisiana Cattle Industry Gets National Recognition

by Dave Foster, Cattle Producers of Louisiana

We have had the April showers so I guess we will be overrun by May flowers! Let's just settle for a bountiful forage supply and pray we can "make hay while the sun shines."

The last two weeks of April the cattle market "tanked". Why, who knows.

We had a positive April cattle on feed report, a favorable cold storage report and a bullish corn planting report. So what caused feeder cattle prices to be $500.00 to $550.00 per head cheaper than the same time last year? My guess, a dysfunctional CME Futures market. Let's hope the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) can get its act together.

Louisiana enjoyed some recognition. Troy Thibodeaux of Church Point, LA, a CPL member, made history earlier this year as his Red Brahman cow, CT Lady Rhineaux Ray 8/9, earned the title of the number one Brahman cow in Louisiana and the number one cow in the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) "Register Renown" for the Brahman breed of the United States. What an honor for Troy and Louisiana.

Another event, Superior Livestock Gulf Coast Classic was held April 22 in Natchitoches, LA for the first time ever. This event brought rave reviews from Superior Livestock Auction and the people who attended. Prices were very discouraging, however, the Louisiana cattle brought top market for that day. This sale could be an annual event. Thank you Rayburn Smith, Joel Smith, Benjamin Brewton, Jeremy and Laura Richardson, Huey Oglesby and James Cooper who were the Louisiana Superior Representatives and all the Louisiana ranchers who consigned the cattle.

Now is not the time to be complacent in the cattle business. Stay informed about the market. Plan ahead with your forages. If you haven't culled those old cows do it sooner than later. Know your break evens and use the CPL weekly market (1-800-528-6999 option 3) updated every Saturday. Enjoy the of beginning of summer!