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Feeder cattle futures spreads across all months have recovered to near pre-COVID levels as quarantine restrictions and packing plant capacity issues have largely been resolved. Pasture conditions have deteriorated, with the share rated poor or very poor rising since late May and running well worse than the five-year average, driven by drought spreading from the Southwest into the Great Plains.
The author notes producers may need to market weaned calves earlier or winter them.
Deteriorating pasture forces earlier calf sales and adds supply to feeder markets, which could pressure prices, while cheaper corn would support feedlot margins. Producers can use futures spreads to lock in margins.
u.osu.eduSmith atJul 29, 2020After 21 past neutral weather events, Feeder Cattle moved a median +1.7% over 5 sessions (67% higher; middle half -0.1% to +2.3%), and -0.2% over 20.
After 20 past neutral weather events, Live Cattle moved a median +0.4% over 5 sessions (60% higher; middle half -0.3% to +1.2%), and +3.0% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
