Markets
prices. The magnitude of the
decline will depend in part on
how tariffs wind up impacting
meat exports,” Mintert says.
Last summer fed steer prices in
the Southern Plains averaged
$112 per cwt. This summer
prices are likely to average
below $110 per cwt and could
dip as low as $105 per cwt. Last
fall fed steer prices averaged
$118 per cwt. According to
Mintert, large meat supplies
exacerbated by weak exports
could push fed steer prices
down into the low teens this fall.
In conclusion, feeder cattle
and calf prices are expected to
fare better than prices for fed
cattle as lower feeding costs of
gain are bid into the prices for
replacements. Prices for 500-600
pound steer calves in Kentucky
during fall 2017 averaged $151
per cwt., nearly $25 per cwt.
lower than the previous fall.
Prices this fall could average
in the high $140s, close to
year ago levels, supported by
weak feed grain prices. I
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