[inline_image file=”2c0ab08d1edc9c29033d33eaafd8449d.jpg” caption=”CAB- feedlot”]
Feeder cattle markets have bounced back from the brutal February storm just in time for the termination of winter grazing of dual-purpose wheat.
Feeder cattle auction volumes in Oklahoma are quite variable in February and March. Dual-purpose wheat production (graze and grain) means that grazing cattle must be removed promptly when the wheat crop begins the reproductive stage that produces a grain crop. This change in the wheat is indicated by monitoring wheat plants for the “first hollow stem.”
The timing of first hollow stem in wheat pasture varies by year as well as across wheat varieties. The abrupt termination of wheat grazing that results from the physiological demands of wheat often results in a week or two of noticeably larger auction volumes occurring between mid-February to mid-March.
Figure 1 shows the Oklahoma weekly auction volume for the 2018-2019 average, 2020 and thus far in 2021. In 2018-2019, the largest weekly volume occurred in the second week of March while in 2020 the largest weekly volume occurred in mid-February.
Additional challenges in 2021 resulted from the extended winter storm in February. Many auctions in the state were closed for one or two weeks with typical feeder cattle marketing delayed. Figure 1 shows the dramatic reduction in auction sales in the middle week of February (664 head) and reduced volume the third week of February.
It was not a surprise to see an extremely large volume of 45,702 head the first week of March. This volume likely consisted mostly of feeders delayed from February but may also include some wheat pasture cattle. The bulk of the wheat pasture cattle are expected the next two weeks and large auction volumes are expected until mid-March.
Prices for calves and stocker cattle were higher last week reflecting some spring grazing demand and relatively low volumes of lightweight cattle this time of year. For example, the price of 450-500-lb., Med/Lrg, #1 steers was $179.37/cwt. Calf prices are following close to a typical seasonal pattern and are up 5-6 percent from last fall. Heavy feeder prices have remained generally steady the past few weeks and are currently about 2 percent lower compared to last fall; slightly lower than seasonal patterns would suggest.
The price of feeder steers weighing 750-800 lbs. (Med/Lrg, #1) was $133.74/cwt, unchanged from the week prior. The large auction volume last week included a majority of heavy feeders.
Another factor hanging over feeder markets is the dramatic rise in feed costs and feedlot cost of gain. The latest summary of the Kansas Focus on Feedlots data shows that feedlot cost of gain for closeouts in January was up 8.6 percent from the recent low in October.
Feedlot cost of gain will continue to increase and reflect higher grain prices in the coming months. Feeder prices will continue to adjust in response to higher feed prices as the year progresses. — Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
