From the Field

As our picturing and videoing wrap up for the spring and bull sales get rolling, there is never a dull moment at this time of year in the marketing end of the Charolais industry. We have been through scores and scores of bull pens and taken 1,000s and 1,000s of pictures and videos for advertising and sale catalogues for these spring bull sales. There is a great offering of Charolais bulls for both your cows and heifers on offer. There have been several sales that have already happened. You can go to our website to see the averages and highlights and follow the sales as they happen.

The past couple years, one thing that has amazed me is the demand for beef with the higher prices. The 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 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 on carcass merit. In the recent set of grading data from the USDA, the number of cattle grading choice reached a new all-time high and when adding in the number of prime cattle, that combined number reached an all-time high also, at over 85%. This exceeded last year’s record. Whether it was the open winter or better genetics, or the enticement of premium futures, or all of the above, there is a new one for the record books.

When you throw USDA carcass weight data into the mix, there is yet another record. The week ending January 29, actual data was reported February 10th and steer carcasses etched out an all-time high for any January and fell just 2 pounds short of the all-time record made in October 2020.

Then when you put in wholesale and retail beef prices at all time highs for any February, and the atmosphere of record-breaking encompasses everything but cattle prices – whether futures or cash. In 2014 and 2015, cattle prices exceeded current levels 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

Helge By

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12th Annual Bull Sale • 1:30 pm • at the Farm THURSDAY, MARCH 24TH, 2022

Performance, Power, Punch - the Total Package

ELDER’S JAKE 194J • Homo Pld, ET

TR CAG Carbon Copy x Grant’s Playboy BW 97 Adj 205 810 Adj 365 1359

49 Yearling Bulls On Offer

Breeding to meet the needs of our Customers

ELDER’S SHAMU 141J • Dbl Pld

Elder’s Emperor x Steppler Prince George 43A BW 95 Adj 205 716 Adj 365 1516

ELDER’S RIPPER 169J • Dbl Pld

Elder’s Emperor x Sparrows Nixon BW 94 Adj 205 760 Adj 365 1536

ELDER’S RAINMAKER 185J • Homo Pld

CML Raindance x Elder’s Blackjack BW 104 Adj 205 778 Adj 365 1644

• Many Homo Polled • Some Red Factor • Guaranteed • Free Delivery up to 200 km before May 1 or take them home Sale Day and deduct $100.00 from your Total purchase Call for a catalogue or view it and videos of the bulls online at www.eldercharolais.com

Sale broadcast live at

www.bylivestock.com

ELDER’S JAGUAR 181J • Homo Pld

CML Raindance x Elder’s Blackjack BW 100 Adj 205 781 Adj 365 1470

ELDER’S JAMBALAYA 137J • Homo Pld

WCR Commissioner x Elder’s Blackjack BW 77 Adj 205 690 Adj 365 1416

Feel Free to stop and view the Bulls Coffee is On

Sale Manager: Helge By 306-536-4261 Jon Wright 306-807-8424 charolaisbanner@gmail.com VISITORS WELCOME

Ron & Donna Elder 306.267.4986 C 306.267.7693 • relder@sasktel.net Mike & Judy Elder C 306.267.7730 Box 37, Coronach, SK S0H 0Z0 @ElderElderly www.eldercharolais.com