Breakevens http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens RSS Feed for Breakevens en-us Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:20:00 GMT Getting the biggest bang for your buck http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/Getting-the-biggest-bang-for-your-buck-170711836.html Purchasing feeds for a cow/calf producer is like doing taxes. Typically once a year producers start pricing feeds trying to figure out what is the best deal and what they should buy. BeefTalk: Grass versus corn, TDN cost per unit http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/BeefTalk-Grass-versus-corn-TDN-cost-per-unit-166532326.html In years past, given the price of feed grains, it was a given to buy grain. If one was short of forage, buy grain. If one was looking to expand, buy grain. If one was thinking of the future, build feed bunks and pens and buy grain. Managing feed costs http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/Managing-feed-costs-127466233.html Purchased feed represents the greatest portion of variable costs for cow-calf producers according to the Kansas Farm Management Association. The management calendar http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/The-management-calendar-119607319.html We live in a global market place with corn flirting with $7.00/bu and beef and dairy prices increasing, in part because of export demand. Cattle feeding margins hold above $100, packer margins drop http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/Cattle-feeding-margins-hold-above-100-packer-margins-drop.html Cattle feeding margins declined about $10 per head last week, while packer margins declined nearly $43 per head. Feeding margins held above the $100 per head mark, while packer margins remain in single digits. The Sterling Profit Quotient lost 41 points for the week, according to estimates developed by Sterling Marketing Inc., Vale, Ore. Cattle feeding margins improve, packer margins decline http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/Cattle-feeding-margins-improve-packer-margins-decline.html Cattle feeding margins increased about $15 per head last week, while packer margins declined $7 per head. Feeding margins jumped back above $100 per head, and packer margins remain above $50 per head. The Sterling Profit Quotient gained 43 points for the week, according to estimates developed by Sterling Marketing Inc., Vale, Ore. Cost of gain and calf prices push breakevens higher http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/cost-of-gain-and-calf-prices-push-breakevens-higher-113971969.html Cattle feeders have cause for optimism as they watch fed-cattle prices climb into the $70s with prospects for continued strong prices into next year. Their production costs, however, also have taken an upward turn, driving up the selling prices they'll need to see profits next spring on fall-placed cattle. Feedyard breakevens rise with cost of gain and calf prices http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/feedyard-breakevens-rise-with-cost-of-gain-and-calf-prices-113972024.html Cattle feeders have cause for optimism as they watch fed-cattle prices climb into the $70s, with prospects for continued strong prices into next year. Fed prices drop, remain above $100 http://www.cattlenetwork.com/cattle-resources/cattle-feeding/breakevens/Fed-prices-drop-remain-above-100--.html As fed-cattle trade developed late this week, USDA reports steer prices averaging $104.33 per hundredweight, down from highs over $107 two weeks ago, but still uncommonly strong. One year ago, prices hovered around $85 per hundredweight.