Sort & Cull

While I'm thankful last week's cyberattack was quickly dealt with, I'm also here to tell you that the cost of wasted time and missed opportunities is high.

It seems like government officials, industry leaders and the nation's largest cattlemen associations are finally hearing the pleas from the countryside.

While we focus on the matter at hand (fed cattle and feeder cattle prices), we cannot forget to keep close tabs on the nation's cows and monitor their herd trajectory.

High corn prices aren't necessarily a bad thing, but when high corn prices are stacked next to historically low live cattle prices, that's when the real crisis surfaces.

Regardless of what corn prices did last week, what they'll do this week or what they could do in the weeks to come, every market connoisseur will tell you, "the cure for high prices is high prices."

Packers only buy cattle with time when they know that supplies are going to be short, or when they know that the cash cattle market could rally. In the current market's scenario, both are true and both favor feedlots' positions, which cause packers angst.

The biggest takeaway from the rally that's currently developing is that it could be sustained for a period of time, and the market is already seeing how it's supporting the entire cattle market, not just one side of the marketplace.

Moving into this upcoming week's trade, and even looking ahead at the weeks to come, cattlemen need to remind themselves that the market ebbs and flows over time. Take full advantage of what the market has to offer. Don't sit on the sidelines when a rally is begging to...

Looking at last week's total negotiated trade and knowing that this week's showlists have fewer cattle on them throughout the major feeding states, there is some opportunity that awaits this week's business.

We can't be upset about the rhetoric packers use to make deals; we, as cattlemen, need to learn from their savviness.

Last week's cash cattle market averaged only $114 -- which is $10 to $44 weaker than years past.

With last week's slaughter estimated at a measly 552,000 head, the entire marketplace is going to be fixated on tracking this week's slaughter and praying for a monstrous week.

Feedlots typically avoid trading cattle in the midst of high wind gusts and snow blowing sideways; however, this week's trade could easily fall either way.

The challenge when looking at reports like the USDA Cattle Inventory reports is keeping perspective.

Friday's placement increases of 1% didn't end up devastating the market's recent accomplishments, but it's important to remember that all situations must be looked at individually as the market is constantly changing.

Significant changes in the restaurant and food service industry during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to create a significant long-term impact on meat demand. According to a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association, nearly one in five restaurants have closed...

Regardless of what year the market faces, challenges and opportunities will always be present. Trying to analytically avoid the traps of the marketplace that could hinder you is always an everchanging and sleep-robbing problem if you're invested in the cattle market.

Even though packers tried telling feedlots, for more than a month, that they weren't going to be aggressive during the Christmas holiday, last week's weighted averages speak differently.

The December Cattle on Feed report released last Friday came in as expected with lower feeder cattle placements in November. However, yearly placements are well below previous years, creating concerns that can't be accounted for by feedlot numbers.

Whether you're a cow-calf producer looking to market your steer calves or a feedlot looking to move a group of fat cattle, it's vital to remember you hold the cards; you decide when those cattle move and for what price.