Cow Country Reporter, August, 2017

By Dave Foster, Cattle Producers of Louisiana

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We had a good market this spring for feeders, but as normal our prices started to cheapen up in June and started to drift south. The fat cattle market has held pretty good but after the July 4th holiday it has gotten cheaper.

The latest corn crop report looks good and we could see the second largest corn crop this fall if Mother Nature treats us right. Cheap corn will help our calf market and if we could have a fall like last year in the wheat growing country that would also firm up our calf market.

Receipts at the local stockyards in Louisiana saw higher numbers for the first six months of 2017. Does this statistic mean we had more cattle numbers or higher prices early in the year, maybe some of both? Our cull cow market started to see higher prices in mid-July as processors were needing inventory for school lunch programs and the last big “beef feast” that will end with Labor Day.

I know it has been tough making hay this year as rain has hindered the drying/curing process. Everyone I talked to has been late getting hay made.

What will the fall bring as far as prices are concerned? In Louisiana, our fall cattle run starts in mid-August and goes until Thanksgiving. The drought conditions in the mountain states has caused early selling of cattle or forced cow/calf producers to start feeding. So those calves may not hit the market in Oct/Nov which may cause the calf market to strengthen in late fall. Keep tuned into the market.

Louisiana producers sold some steers on Superior Video July 31. Steers for August delivery (early) 575

Lbs, $155.00, 600-625 lbs. $148.00. Steers for Oct/Nov. delivery 500-550 lbs. $158.00-$159.00.

Check out our weekly hot line for price information and enjoy the end of summer.