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Cattle Economics

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by Wes Ishmael Feb. 13, 2012

Beef Exports Shatter Records

Beef exports finished the year at 1.287 million metric tons (mt) valued at $5.42 billion. This broke the 2003 volume record of 1.274 million mt and....More
by Wes Ishmael Feb. 13, 2012

Expansion Signals Grow

Though cow-calf producers are not yet in expansion mode, generally speaking, Glynn Tonsor, Kansas State University agricultural economist, says the....More
by Wes Ishmael Feb. 13, 2012

More Cattle on Feed and Reduced Slaughter are Losing Proposition

“Feedlot-bound cattle seem to be nearing a price ceiling as the fed-cattle market has stalled out and packers have cut kills to limit their immediate....More
by Wes Ishmael Feb. 13, 2012

Positive Auction Trade Gives Way to Bearish Friday

Stocker cattle and calves, as well as feeder-weight cattle, continued pushing the market higher last week....More
by Wes Ishmael Jan. 26, 2012

Crossbreeding Is Becoming Cool Again

While manicuring the individual trees of cattle performance traits, the cow-calf industry apparently missed the proverbial forest. At least it....More
by Wes Ishmael Jan. 1, 2012

Reproduction Is A Key To Improving Ranch Profitability

“In today’s changing and volatile input markets, it is critical that, as individual producers and as an industry, we examine the economic efficiency....More
by Wes Ishmael Dec. 1, 2011

Beef Exports Up 26%, A 39% Increase In Value

“There’s one way for our country to get out of this economic recession. We have to export our way to prosperity. Do you think China became an....More
by Wes Ishmael Nov. 1, 2011

Even With High Prices, Be Sure To Weigh The Return

Depending on which side of the biscuit you butter, these are fixing to be halcyon days in the cow-calf business. At least they are judging by the....More
by Wes Ishmael Oct. 1, 2011

The Stocker Cattle Business Is A Margin Business

“A pet peeve of mine is that those of us in the cattle business are responsible for driving young men and women out of this business,” says Pete....More
by Wes Ishmael Aug. 23, 2011

Value Of Gain Is Record High

If there was ever a time to be in the stocker business, this may be it, at least when it comes to value of gain. "Heavy-feeder prices increased to....More
by Wes Ishmael Aug. 1, 2011

Highest Return Cattle Producers Hold Down Costs

Assuming that Mother Nature allows the luxury of options, deciding whether to sell sooner or later heading into the fall marketing season is shaping....More
by Wes Ishmael Jun. 24, 2011

Preconditioning Still Pays

Since the value of gain continues to increase with calf prices, preconditioning can still pay for the same reasons it always has....More
by Wes Ishmael Jun. 1, 2011

Beef Industry Exhibits New Market Fundamentals

It’s too easy to get lost in chatter about the current tight cattle supplies, although it’s understandable. After all, the nation’s beef cowherd is....More
by Wes Ishmael May. 1, 2011

Basis Important In Cattle Marketing

Even if you market cattle only once or twice a year and never hedge a single head, understanding basis offers powerful potential....More
by Wes Ishmael Apr. 1, 2011

CME Change In Feeder Index Is Needed

When you’re selling cattle, they’re always worth more than a buyer is willing to pay. Beyond that, determining the value of cattle of a particular....More
Contributors

Wes Ishmael

Among the industry’s most insightful thinkers, Wes Ishmael concentrates on industry price and market perspectives for BEEF magazine. Along with his monthly “Cattle Economics” column...
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What's Cattle Economics?

Wes Ishmael provides tightly focused analysis and commentary on specific beef quality and marketing issues of practical importance to beef producers.

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