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Market volatility likely to continue in cattle

110415Cattle-grazing-in-cenA livestock market specialist says it has been a pretty tough spring for cattle prices.  University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says beef supplies are up 3 percent on the year and the increased supply continues to put pressure on the cattle market.

Brown says he doesn’t see relief anytime soon.  “We continue to get more news about what is coming in front of us,” he says.  “I think if you look at what’s been happening to placements of calves in feed yards – we saw a lot of heavy calves coming to market.  Many folks will suggest that that is a lot more of those wheat pasture calves that we are seeing.”

He tells Brownfield all indications are pointing to even more growth in the cattle supply.  “What happens to that demand side to move it – especially when export demand has been weaker in terms of what we’ve seen with the stronger dollar,” he says.  “That kind of leaves us with domestic beef markets that have also not been up to the task to help keep cattle prices higher.”

Brown says there is more volatility ahead in cattle prices and the market hasn’t seen the bottom yet.

AUDIO: Scott Brown, University of Missouri

 

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