With cattle prices at all-time highs, forward-thinking cattle feeders and backgrounders will be doing some calculations to determine what they can pay for feeder calves, and/or what they should forward contract them for. To assist with this task UW-Madison Division of Extension has assembled a set of projections using initial purchase prices for feeders calves derived from late September 2025 Wisconsin feeder calf sale reports.
These projections are intended to serve as an initial guide. They are based on regional averages; therefore, producers are strongly encouraged to use their own numbers rather than the estimated costs to evaluate their specific situation.
Download Fall 2025 Cattle Feeder Enterprise Projections examples
Projected sale prices were estimated by looking at futures contract prices and considering seasonal and cyclical trends in addition to current placements and animal breed influence on prices.
Market volatility can result in rapid changes in margins. The projections suggest there is opportunity for profit for some of the enterprises if cash prices follow what the futures market is predicting they will be. Price optimism remains strong due to tight supplies of feeder cattle coupled with continued strong demand for beef.
Source : wisc.edu