Stronger Yearling Prices, Brings More Risk

Jun 04, 2014

When it comes to the cattle business, the stocker segment in particular has a favorable outlook for summer 2014. Livestock Marketing Information Center Director Jim Robb says that especially true, if cattlemen already own the cattle.

"I think certainly for the people that have already bought the calves these programs can fair surprising good this year," Robb said. "Record high calf prices, but the heavy weight yearling market has really been the market that has charged ahead of the other markets as we look across the board."

"I think that raises a bit of risk in this marketplace," Robb said. "We have had the premium of the 700 -800 pound and sometimes heavier steer widen relative to the calf, which makes those trying to buy the animals these programs look less profitable than they did a few weeks ago, but also widen relative to the fed cattle market."

With a strong heavy weight yearling market, Robb says a a little bit of risk management options could be prudent.

"We have future market options, we also have the government-sponsored livestock risk protection programs through the federal crop insurance agents," Robb said.

Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.