Don't market like 2008

摘要

Many ranchers' first inclination in marketing their 2009 calves is to base it on their 2008 calf crop experiences. That could be a serious mistake. For one thing, marketing signals are changing fast. Looking backward could easily put a marketer 180°out of synch in marketing the current calf crop. In fact, my analysis suggests last year wasn't a year to retain ownership but this year just might be. For one thing, a projected 2009 bumper corn crop has dramatically changed marketing economics, thoughwe're still at risk of a potential early frost in corn country. But, at press time, this year's changing costs of gain (COG) beyond the farm gate, coupled with current price projections, are expected to change the optimum ranch marketing program.