With stable prices and low feed costs, there is opportunity for producers to background calves this fall and winter. In addition, the futures market projects feeder cattle prices to remain steady. John Dhuyvetter, a livestock systems specialist at the NDSU North Central Research Extension Center, says there is margin in the cattle business. “Right now, the market looks to be on-par with last year, or slightly better.” For producers choosing to background calves, Dhuyvetter reminds them to manage risk. “Certainly there’s worry about cattle staying healthy and performing, but the risk that scares producers is market uncertainty. To protect against that, forward pricing, price insurance and put options are all choices.” Dhuyvetter spoke at the NDSU Extension Calf Backgrounding Seminar held in McVille, North Dakota on Tuesday. Listen to more of the conversation.