Current factors affecting feeder cattle pricingin Kansas and Missouri cattle markets

Today’s tough economic environment for cattle producers makes each decision criticallyimportant, and increased knowledge of the link between pricing and genetic,management, and marketing decisions can increase an operation’s sustainability andprofitability. Cow-calf producers and cattle feeders have long been interested in theimpact of various physical and market characteristics on feeder cattle and calf prices. Asdemonstrated in many previous studies, significant relationships exist between feedercattle prices and their physical and market characteristics. Weight, lot size, health,condition, fill, muscling, frame size, breed, time of sale, and horn status significantlyaffect feeder cattle auction prices. Historically, significant premiums and discounts havebeen associated with these particular feeder cattle physical characteristics.The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge of the current link between marketpricing and genetic, management, and marketing decisions. Findings from this researchwill provide updated information regarding how the myriad of industry changes sincethe 1980s and 1990s has affected the characteristics that influence feeder cattle andcalf prices.