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by Harlan Hughes Jan. 26, 2012

The Economic Value Of A Preg-Checked Heifer

Profits per cow grew in 2010 and preliminary data suggest profits per cow were up again in 2011. I project even higher profits for the next few....More
by Harlan Hughes Jan. 12, 2012

Tips For Setting Up A Cow Lease

As calf prices continue upward, I receive more phone calls on beef cow leasing. Some are from investors hoping to capture the economic profits from....More
by Harlan Hughes Dec. 1, 2011

Increase Your Cowherd’s Gross Income

In only a handful of cases in my 40-year career have I seen such economically favorable times as we have today. Because such good times don’t occur....More
by Harlan Hughes Nov. 1, 2011

Key Economic Opportunities In Calf Marketing

My last series of articles focused on the economic challenges occurring in the beef-cow sector since the start of the biofuels era. This month, I’ll....More
by Harlan Hughes Oct. 1, 2011

How Is The Beef Cow Sector Doing Six Years After Ethanol?

This is the final article in my four-part series on the beef cow sector’s economic transition to the “new normal.” The question I’ve specifically....More
by Harlan Hughes Sep. 1, 2011

Analyzing The Costs Of Maintaining A Breeding Herd

In my July column, which kicked off this series analyzing how beef cow costs are changing in the biofuels era, we discussed the 17-year trend in....More
by Harlan Hughes Aug. 1, 2011

Overhead Costs On The Ranch

A key question for today’s ranchers is whether ranch cost structures are changing as we progress further into the biofuels era....More
by Harlan Hughes Jul. 1, 2011

Effect Of Ethanol Supports On Ranchers – Part I

The nation’s ethanol program kicked into high gear in 1996, dramatically impacting corn prices and changing the economics of the beef cow sector in....More
by Harlan Hughes Jun. 1, 2011

Corn & Cattle Prices Are A Roller Coaster

The economics of the U.S. beef-cow sector have turned into a real roller coaster – three of them, in fact – one for corn, one for slaughter cattle....More
by Harlan Hughes May. 1, 2011

Take Advantage Of Record Cattle Prices

My current price projections and associated economic analysis suggests that profits are finally returning to the ranch sector. I project decade-high....More
by Harlan Hughes Apr. 1, 2011

Today’s Economics For Ranchers

As we enter the “new normal” for the U.S. beef industry, I encourage ranchers to think about the overall economics of the ranching sector. To....More
by Harlan Hughes Mar. 1, 2011

Corn Determines Calf Prices

Ranchers are facing a new normal in the beef cow-calf business. The price of corn has replaced the cattle cycle as the key factor determining feeder-....More
by Harlan Hughes Feb. 1, 2011

2010 Was A Year Of Change For Cattle Feeding Sector

Two economic forces are driving a new economic “normal” that is unfolding in U.S. ranching – stronger beef demand and near-record high corn prices....More
by Harlan Hughes Jan. 6, 2011

U.S. Beef Industry Is Undergoing Large-Scale Change

The beef industry is undergoing large-scale change. The U.S. beef cowherd continues to downsize and fewer finished cattle are being harvested. In....More
by Harlan Hughes Dec. 8, 2010

What Is A Pregnant Heifer Worth In Today’s Market?

Though 2010 weaned-calf prices are improved from 2009, higher calf prices alone aren’t sufficient to trigger expansion; higher profits per cow are....More
Contributors

Harlan Hughes

Harlan Hughes is a North Dakota State University professor emeritus and author of the monthly "Market Advisor" column that appears in BEEF magazine. He also consults and lectures widely,...
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What's Market Advisor?

Harlan Hughes has spent a professional lifetime helping U.S. beef producers better manage the business end of their beef cow operations.

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