Page 6 - MWC 4-20-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · April 20, 2023 · P6
Higher Bred Cow Values Ahead By Derrell Peel - Oklahoma State University

Cattle prices are advanc- cwt. at the end of March for heifer values are likely to in- crease to
ing for all classes of cattle. average dressing cows. Av- crease sharply by this fall. $1700/head
Prices for Oklahoma feeder erage dressing Breaking Current bred cow val- or higher by
steers (under 700 pounds) and cows were $104.74/cwt. and ues for Medium/Large No. 1 this fall. I
heifers (under 650 pounds) average dressing Lean cows cows, 5-8 years of age, second expect bred
have increased 12-20 percent were $92.69/cwt. at the end trimester (T2) bred, 1100- cow values
since the end of 2022. Bigger of March. 1200 pounds in Oklahoma to increas-
steers and heifer prices have Bred cow values are sea- were $1332/head last week. ingly reflect
increased five to eight per- sonally higher going into Younger (2–4 year-old) cows and incor-
cent, still weighed down by April but it appears that the averaged from $1300 - $1550/ porate expectations for high-
high corn prices. Fed cattle lingering drought conditions head for second to third tri- er calf prices in the coming
prices at the end of March are holding bred cow values mester cows. Based on prior months.
were up about 6 percent from somewhat lower than oth- research and current broader The prior research also
December 2022. erwise for this time of year. market conditions, bred cow provides insights into the
Prices for Boning slaugh- Given growing expectations values would likely be $100- range of values for bred cows.
ter cows in Oklahoma are that drought conditions will $300/head higher without The base cow described above
up almost 39 percent from moderate through the com- drought impacts. assumes average quality.
December and were $98.24/ ing months, bred cow and What can we expect for Variations from low to high
bred cow values later? Again, quality decrease or increase
assuming drought conditions value of the cow by roughly
show significant improve- 15 percent, about $200/head
ment, bred cow and heifer less for low quality to $200/
prices will likely increase head more for high quali-
dramatically, beginning, ty cows compared to aver-
perhaps this fall, and into age quality. On average, the
2024. Based on the previous value of bred cows is highest
research, including season- at ages 3-5 and begins to drop
al patterns and fall futures sharply after age 7. Bred
market values for feeder cat- cow value is higher for later
tle and corn, the 5–8 year- stages of gestation, with bred
old cow currently valued at cows valued roughly $150/
$1332/head could easily in- continued on page 14

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