With a new calf crop on the ground, cattle producers in the Northern Plains are beginning to monitor fall prices. NDSU Extension livestock economist Tim Petry says the big item to watch is corn. The corn market may continue to show volatility, impacting feeder cattle prices. “If we do plant three million more acres of corn and have a record crop, that’d be good for cattle but not good for those selling corn,” says Petry. Nationwide, the cattle industry is on track for another year of record beef production. The U.S. cowherd has increased to nearly four million head over the last four years. “From a price standpoint, the demand side is really helping. Right now, fed cattle are seven dollars higher compared to last year at this time.”
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