Hulett: Downward Trend Begins
Cattle feeders in all regions began to see prices fall away last week. In the South feeders started off with $138 being the best bid with some cattle bringing lower money as the week progressed.
Feeders in the North could not hold their market from falling, but were still able to keep a premium to the South. Cash cattle traded $140-$142 for the most part with dressed cattle bringing in the mid $220’s.
Cattle feeders will more than likely be looking at a market that will be heading the wrong direction for most of the summer. Packers will be coming into plenty of numbers as they get through spring and into the heart of summer. Cost of gains continue to rise, and as cattle prices falter feeders will be forced to move cattle as quickly as possible to avoid large losses.
Brad Hulett is Director, Customer Development & Regional Manager, Kansas, at Consolidated Beef Producers, Inc.
