Page 15 - MWC 9-10-20s

months, feedlot placements in May as delayed market- The Midwest Cattleman · September 10, 2020 · P15
under 700 pounds have made ings pushed carcass weights rowing compared to last year. dotal indications, are that the
up a larger percentage of total higher rather than to the The latest data shows that backlog of fed cattle is rapidly
placements, which further re- normal seasonal low. In May, steer carcass weights are 28 diminishing and may be near-
duces the number of cattle steer carcass weights aver- pounds higher year over year ly cleaned up. Going forward,
finishing at this time. aged over 49 pounds heavier while heifer carcass weights the one million head decrease
Carcass weights provide year over year and heifer car- are 26 pounds above one year in feedlot placements in Feb-
another indication of how cass weights averaged nearly ago. Carcass weights may ruary, March and April sug-
current feedlots are at this 42 pounds heavier than one continue above year ago lev- gests that front-end feedlot
time. Steer and heifer car- year ago. Currently carcass els for the remainder of the supplies will be relatively
cass weights have been above weights are still above year year, but the gap will likely tight at least through Sep-
year ago levels all year, but ago levels and are increasing narrow a bit more. tember.
the gap got especially wide seasonally but the gap is nar- The data, along with anec-

CONSIDERATIONS grass fed, antibiotic free, and the cut that pricing model is with your customers ahead of
continued from page 3 known farm of origin as po- substantially more complex. time, and have a value struc-
tentials for increased premi- Finding a home for the less ture in place as part of your
also going to be repeat buy- ums. desirable cuts of meat can be overall business plan,” White
ers,” said K-State veterinari- “You need to educate your- a real challenge and, frankly, said.
an Bob Larson. self before entering one of can make or break the deal.” Here is the quick summary
Communicating with po- these direct marketing ven- Weaber cautions direct of considerations for market-
tential customers is key, but tures,” Pendell said. marketers to consult with the ing direct to consumers:
also with the processor, said K-State beef cattle exten- processors to be sure that they •Plan for carcass utilization
agricultural economist Dustin sion specialist Bob Weaber are following all required gov- and pricing strategy.
Pendell. He said because of said producers also need to ernment regulations on sell- •Identify relevant regula-
the increased demand, many decide how they want to sell ing products. tions.
processors are scheduling their product —specifically K-State veterinarian Brad •Meet customer product de-
months out, which has an by the carcass or by individ- White stressed the impor- mands.
economic impact on the local ual cuts. tance of developing a busi- •Plan to communicate often
community. “If I sell a half of beef to ness plan before deciding to with customers.
Pendell urged beef produc- someone, they will pay the market beef off the farm. •Develop a business plan.
ers to think what product at- processing charges and they “If you are thinking about
tributes lend themselves to get all the yield,” he said. selling beef to consumers,
a marketing niche. Some of “But if I am selling meat by make sure you communicate
the examples he shared were