CATTLEMEN’S COLUMN

FOCUS SHIFTS TO OTHER TASKS AT HAND AS RANCHERS GET RAIN AFTER LONG DRY SPELL

by CCA President Tony Toso

This time last year we may have had an inch of rain to talk about, but not much more. The pastures around our place were still golden from the long summer and that big storm that was basically it for us all year, was yet to come in late January.

What a difference a year can make and what a difference the timing of the rains make! All last summer and into the fall we were being primed for below average moisture with the promise of, or a maybe a glimmer of hope on the start of waters in the Pacific near the Equator to start warming with the hope for an upcoming El Niño year in late 2022 and into 2023.

Well, we still may see below average precipitation for 2022 and the rain may stop tomorrow, but so far, I could not be happier with the rainfall we have received at our place. Now you couple that with the warm fall carrying into early December in my neck of the woods which has made for some of the best grass conditions for the beginning of a season that we have seen in years. So, I will let that be a lesson that even in the most troubling of circumstances, with the most dire of predictions, there are still rays of sunshine, or in our case, large storm clouds that bless us each day and we need to remember that.

Couple this well-placed rainfall with increasing prices for our calves and we could see a spring with some great opportunities. Our fearless prognosticator from CattleFax, Duane Lenz had an optimistic pricing outlook for us at convention and I have seen the makings of it on the video sales and at the auction barn.

As I have recently placed some cattle on feed, I have really liked the look of fat cattle prices for a change, which appear to like the high $1.30s and into the $1.40s right now, and who knows we could possibly touch the $1.50s at the right points in the marketing cycle. According to CattleFax we could see near, at, or just above $2 per pound on a 500-pound steer calf this spring. Let’s hope!

These are some optimistic comments I have made, and I hope each and everyone of you enjoys continued rainfall and a market rally right at pricing/ shipping time this spring. But while we finally have something to root for, we must also remain vigilant on the issues that affect us. That’s what your officer team, executive board and staff will be doing this year. We will continue to work toward making a difference on the wildfire problem. Our subcommittee made great progress last year, but they are ready to take on 2022’s challenges. Same for our price discovery committee. In spite of the optimism, I shared earlier, now is not the time to let up on making good policy decisions and choices on how we see best to help shape our industry. We will continue to try and do our best to make a difference on pay day.

The governor’s 30 x 30 plan is on the horizon and CCA will be on it. Staff is already reviewing the draft report and we will be sure to keep the membership posted with how the plan is progressing and we will do our best to make sure we are looking out for California cattle producer’s best interests.

It’s time to get back in the saddle for the new year. We will do our best to keep you informed on what’s happening and to protect our operations, our families and our way of life. Until next time...