What a difference a little time can make! One day it’s dry, then the next it rains, and a week later there is something green coming out of the ground or else there is a lot of machinery running over the ground! The cattle market changes pretty quickly anymore also, with up to $6.00 swings allowed it's amazing there are any individuals still playing.
The weather and the markets have all acted unusual over the last few years and this year is no exception. For the moment, it looks like there are more grazing opportunities north of the Oklahoma border than there are south of it. As of last week, there were plenty of fields dusted in but possibly many more that were waiting on a rain to drill. Normally, the further north a person goes the less green there is this, however it sure looked like some wheat was already up in Kansas. Of course, just about any place that has access to water will probably be ahead of the game.
The calf runs have somewhat started already, with the big push coming up over the next month. So far it looks like it has been a much better summer than last year. There are many more calves carrying better flesh and more pounds. It was amazing last year to find all those weaned, light weight calves under 500 lbs, but there sure doesn’t appear to be as many this year.
It will be interesting to see how good the calf market is this year, with late wheat, high priced corn, heavier weights and less weaning. So far the market looks as good or better, but a real rain and changing temperatures might have an affect on that. Whatever the case may be, it is an outstanding market considering everything that is going on!
Weather has always been extremely important in agriculture, whether for farming or grazing, but it almost seems like the elections may be as big a factor for the next few years. One thing is for sure, there are already plenty of laws, regulations, taxes and politicians, maybe less is actually worth more!
There are plenty of opportunities already out there, and if the pastures come on and the grains cheapen up, there will certainly be many more! It will still take some more moisture and more time to heal some pastures, but after that it just might be “Katy bar the door!”
Those cheap calf factories are still coming up for sale around, and their product still seems to be worth about $800.00, more as time goes one, so why not own a part of the future? Beef still comes from cattle, and cattle still eat grass and grains, and there is still a very small part of the population that knows how to handle them! Take advantage of the opportunities coming!
Get in the action! Go to the auction! Raise some beef!
www.cattleusa.com
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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