Peel Says Feeder Cattle Prices Push Counter-Seasonally Higher

By Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

Cash prices for most classes of feeder cattle pushed higher last week in Oklahoma and other markets. Both calf and feeder prices advanced counter-seasonally with feeder prices reaching new record levels at several weights. 700-800 pound steer prices typically decrease by an average of 1.1 percent from the July seasonal peak to September. In contrast, 700-800 pound steer prices this year have increased 4.7 percent from the July average compared to the first half of September average price of $230/cwt. in Oklahoma. 500-600 pound steer prices usually drop about 3.4 percent between the July seasonal peak and September. This year, 500-600 pound steer prices in the first half of September have increased more than 3.5 percent over the July monthly average to about $260/cwt.The strong market uptrend that has been in place for over a year has apparently not slowed yet.


What should we expect for calf and feeder prices this fall? If the market trend of recent months should slow considerably, seasonal price patterns might be expressed, at least to some degree, for the remainder of the year. Assuming stable markets at current prices, 700-800 pound steer prices would be expected to fall about 2.7 percent as an average seasonal decline from September to November. That would suggest 700-800 pound steer prices would decline to roughly $224/cwt. prior to Thanksgiving. This is close to what Feeder futures are suggesting using average Oklahoma City basis. Continuation of the uptrend would mean prices higher than this level.


For the calves, the picture is somewhat less clear. Using current September prices and applying normal seasonal price patterns suggests that 500-600 pound steer price should drop to roughly $246/cwt. for a November seasonal low. This level is above what is suggested by Feeder futures using historical (Oklahoma City) basis; with futures suggesting a 500-600 pound steer price at around $239/cwt in November. However, basis has been running two to four times normal levels so far in 2014 for feeder cattle weighing less than 700 pounds. For example, the August (Oklahoma City) basis for 500-600 pound steers was $46.14/cwt., compared to the previous five-year average basis of $12.58/cwt.     

Basis for lightweight feeder animals is determined by both price level and feedlot cost of gain. With record high cattle prices and falling cost of gain, basis for calves and stockers is exceptionally strong and will likely remain so for some time to come. Limited cattle supply has its most dramatic effect on calf prices and that is certainly the case in today’s markets. The November basis for 500-600 pound steers (Oklahoma City) could swell from the five-year average of $14.74/cwt. to a level of $25-$35/cwt. suggesting November low cash prices close to current levels. Even if the market uptrend slows considerably, calf prices are likely to show little, if any, seasonal decrease for fall lows this year.


The above discussion begs the obvious and important question…will the market uptrend continue this fall? Certainly markets have exceeded everyone’s expectations this year and are at record levels. Therefore, despite the odds against it, I am not prepared to say that feeder markets cannot push to even higher levels this fall. I am not uncomfortable with current feeder market price levels but I am a bit surprised at how quickly we have reached these levels. At current feeder prices, implied feedlot breakevens are $170/cwt. and up and cannot be covered with Live cattle futures through the winter.

Lighter weight feeders also have feedlot breakevens that cannot be covered against Live Cattle futures next spring. Stocker prices this fall suggest breakevens for feeder cattle after winter grazing or backgrounding that cannot, in some cases, be covered by spring Feeder futures. In other words, limited feeder supplies are forcing most everyone on the margin side of this industry (that is to say, everyone except cow-calf producers) to bet on the come in the next few months. While current calf and feeder prices cannot be fully explained or justified (at least relative to Feeder and Live Cattle futures), it does not mean that they will not continue for some time.