Blach
Cattle producers should stay “business-like” during the next 12 to 24 months said CattleFax Chief Executive Officer Randy Blach during Beef Industry University, sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas. He further explained that the industry is set to face cyclical-low cowherd and fed cattle numbers, but likely already has seen the bulk of the cyclical price increases.
“While we all want to remain optimistic, this is not a time in the cattle cycle to bet thy whole wad,” Blach said. “We are also at record-high retail beef prices, so we need to be conscious that we could see some consumer pushback and demand erosion.”
Blach predicts 2025 calf prices will average around $320/cwt. to $330/cwt., while feeder prices are expected to range between $250/cwt. and $260/cwt. Fed cattle prices should average near $192/cwt.
“All in all, this is a pretty unique time in our industry, with some of the best profitability numbers we’ve seen by segment,” he said.