Timing paid off for cattle producers able to keep yearlings on grass longer this fall. 
Steve Hellwing, auctioneer and co-owner of Hub City Livestock in Aberdeen, South Dakota, says recent moisture and tighter supply of yearlings have helped move prices higher. “It got a little dry early, some people wanted to move cattle, but our advice to our customers was try to hang on as long as you could,” said Hellwig. “Luckily, we got just enough rain here this fall and right now the yearlings have jumped substantially in the last two to three weeks, so it really paid off to hang on.”Nine- and ten-weight yearling steers are bringing roughly $3,300 to more than $3,400 per head. Hellwig attributes the strength to supply and demand. Drought forced more cattle to move earlier in the summer, leaving fewer yearlings available now and increasing competition among buyers.
