2020 was a year of unprecedented volatility in ag markets and life in general, and the cow/calf sector did not escape this pattern. Rising feed costs through the fall have pressured estimated returns to cow/calf operations while weakness in cull cow prices has similarly depressed revenue opportunities. Fortunately, moderate strength in feeder cattle/calf prices has helped offset some of the higher feed costs. WPI’s current forecast is that the “average” cow/calf operation in the southern Plains lost $8.38/cow unit on calves sold this year, a $16 improvement from last month’s estimate but below our July forecast of -$1.94/cow unit.  Cow/calf producers faced a challenging year starting with the spring COVID-19...

TAGS – Livestock, Macroeconomics, North America