Dr. Lee Schulz has just updated this study evaluating hedging opportunities for fed calves and yearlings. Twenty years of data from 1993-2012 were analyzed t
o determine the percent of trading days during calf and yearling feeding periods that live cattle futures (LCF) – adjusted for an expected basis – were above the cost of producing fed cattle. The analysis was extended to look at the percent of trading days that a return between a $4/cwt loss and a $4/cwt profit could be hedged.
In the calf market, on average there was a 35 percent chance of hedging to make a profit and in the yearling market, there was a 41 percent chance of hedging to make a profit. Check out this report for more details.
Feedlot Operations, Risk Management, Uncategorized marketing, Risk Management
According to Dr. Kris Ringwall at NDSU, at least 60% of your mature cows should calve in the first 21 days of the calving season. How did your herd do? Read his article for more details.
Cow-Calf Operations, Uncategorized calving management
The May issue of the IMMAG (Iowa Manure Management Action Group) update has just been released, with features on nitrogen application relative to the recent heavy rainfall, palmer amaranth, water quality testing kits, and more.
If you’d like to receive these monthly updates directly to your email, you can subscribe at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/subscriptions.html
Environmental Management, Uncategorized Environmental Management, manure management
An update to the May 10 deadline for grazing cover crops as it relates to crop insurance: USDA-RMA has extended the haying/grazing period to May 22, albeit with some restrictions. See the official bulletin for all the information you need
Forages, Hay & Grazing, Uncategorized cover crops, drought, grazing
With rain in the forecast for later this week, now is a good time to get those bulls checked prior to breeding season. Remember, they are 50% of the reproductive equation, so don’t overlook the basics with them. See what SDSU says the cost of an infertile bull is…
Cow-Calf Operations, Livestock Health, Uncategorized breeding soundness exam, bull management
