Thus far in 2015, feedyards’ risk appetite has remained fairly robust – albeit at lower levels than 2014.

Nevil Speer

April 2, 2015

2 Min Read
Industry At A Glance: Feeder cattle pricing trend cooling slightly in 2015

Last week’s Industry At A Glance focused on feeder cattle prices and a focus on pricing risk. The discussion mentioned that, “While feeder cattle prices are off their highs from 2014, the relative strength of the feeder cattle continues to march on.” Cattle feeders continue to aggressively pursue replacements and remain competitive to procure their inventory needs. That’s evidenced by last week’s illustration that portrayed an ongoing pattern of prices above the predicted value – based on historical norms.

This week’s illustration renders that reality in a little different perspective. Two major components define the feeder cattle market on any given week:

  • the corn market and

  • the deferred fed cattle contract against which the feeder cattle are being purchased. The latter being the overwhelming determinant on any given week.

The accompanying graph depicts the weekly CME Feeder Cattle Index against the deferred Live Cattle futures contract. The data is outlined for the years 2005-2013, 2014, and year-to-date 2015. The long-run (2005-2013) historical pattern established a mostly one-to-one relationship. In other words, if the back end of the fed cattle market was up $1 per cwt (or about $12.50 per head), feeder cattle would rise approximately $1 per cwt (or about $7.50 per head) – and vice versa. That relationship jumped to 2.10-to-1 in 2014. In other words, if the deferred fed cattle contract rose $1 per cwt ($13 per head), feeder cattle prices jumped $2.10 per cwt ($15 per head

Stated another way, the risk appetite for feeder cattle was historically strong in 2014 – cattle feeders bet on the come through the entire year. That all works well if fed prices ultimately outpace the deferred fed cattle contract at the time of purchase. However, that begins to be problematic if the fed market proves to disappoint – the risk strategy cuts the wrong way.

Thus far in 2015, feedyards’ risk appetite has remained fairly robust – albeit at lower levels than 2014. That said, how might this relationship change in 2015 over time? Will cattle feeders become more careful about pricing replacements – or will they continue to aggressively chase cattle? Looking out a year from now, will we see 2015 closer to the longer-run historical pattern?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

You might also like:

7 common fencing mistakes to avoid

60 stunning photos that showcase ranch work ethics

What you need to know about cattle ingesting net wrap

10 favorite tractors ranked in farmer survey

8 tips for being a better ranch manager in 2015

Prevention and treatment of cow prolapse

9 new hay-making tools for the 2015 forage season

Bale grazing lets cows feed themselves

About the Author(s)

Nevil Speer

Nevil Speer serves as an industry consultant and is based in Bowling Green, KY.

Nevil Speer has extensive experience and involvement with the livestock and food industry including various service and consultation projects spanning such issues as market competition, business and economic implications of agroterrorism, animal identification, assessment of price risk and market volatility on the producer segment, and usage of antibiotics in animal agriculture.
 
Dr. Speer writes about many aspects regarding agriculture and the food industry with regular contribution to BEEF and Feedstuffs.  He’s also written several influential industry white papers dealing with issues such as changing business dynamics in the beef complex, producer decision-making, and country-of-origin labeling.
 
He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.
 
Dr. Speer holds both a PhD in Animal Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

Contact him at [email protected].

Subscribe to Our Newsletters
BEEF Magazine is the source for beef production, management and market news.

You May Also Like