POINTS TO PONDER
From the Field Helge By
As our in the number of prime cattle, that picturing combined number reached an all-time and videoing high also, at over 85%. This exceeded wrap up for last year’s record. Whether it was the the spring and open winter or better genetics, or the bull sales get enticement of premium futures, or all rolling, there is never a dull moment of the above, there is a new one for the at this time of year in the marketing record books. end of the Charolais industry. We When you throw USDA carcass have been through scores and scores weight data into the mix, there is yet of bull pens and taken 1,000s and another record. The week ending 1,000s of pictures and videos for January 29, actual data was reported advertising and sale catalogues for February 10th and steer carcasses these spring bull sales. There is a etched out an all-time high for any great offering of Charolais bulls for January and fell just 2 pounds short of both your cows and heifers on offer. the all-time record made in October There have been several sales that 2020. have already happened. You can go Then when you put in wholesale to our website to see the averages and and retail beef prices at all time highs highlights and follow the sales as they for any February, and the atmosphere happen. of record-breaking encompasses The past couple years, one thing everything but cattle prices – whether that has amazed me is the demand futures or cash. In 2014 and 2015, for beef with the higher prices. The cattle prices exceeded current levels packers have had the upper hand since the slowdowns in production due to the fire in the packing plant in Texas and then Covid in the packing plant lines, but through it all, the demand has been strong. The packer profits have been the highest in history for the past two years with historic profits never seen before. Finally, it looks like the backlog in the feedlots have been chewed through and Free Resources the finished beef prices are starting to rise for the feeders. This should lead to higher calf prices this fall and, in the future, as we have reduced cow numbers in North America and thus, the number of calves going forward will be less for the next few years. More records have been set for hard working on carcass merit. In the recent beef producers. set of grading data from the USDA, the number of cattle grading choice reached a new www.beefresearch.ca all-time high and when adding
Calf 911
Practical online tools
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Charolais Connection • March 2022
by a significant amount. And it is the upside potential in cattle prices, as supplies are forecast to decline in 2023 and 2024, that have long-term bulls excited. It just isn’t in Canada that the beef market is hot. In Australia, they have record prices right now with phenomenal demand. I had some prices sent to me from the Australian Charolais Association, from the Victorian Region Silver calf pen shows and sales. Here are a couple from early January. 21 Silver Charolais steers 443 kg (975 lb) $6.10/kg ($2.77/lb) $2,520 AUS ($2,300 CAD). 21 Silver Charolais heifers 378 kg (832 lb) $6.95/kg ($3.16/lb) $2,290 AUS ($2,100 CAD). As we get into more bull sales, if Robbie Chomik, Jon Wright, or I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are always happy to help in any way we can. Most of the Charolais sale catalogues are on our website and remember too, that all our Charolais Banner and Charolais Connection magazines are online for free at charolaisbanner.com. If you want to go back to past issues, or show your neighbours past articles, please do. We also try to keep the sale news very current on our homepage, so you can check the latest results, usually within a day of the sale. We wish everyone a great calving season, with nice weather, and may the moisture conditions this summer be favourable. Until next time, Helge
