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Just a scoop full(Oct. 10)--In the past week or two, weaning calves have been showing up more at the auction. Calf prices have fallen to a more conservative level. With the price of wheat where it is--a lot of the true farmers are concentrating on the thought of cutting this next wheat crop and either pasturing it less or none. This scenario has caused calf prices to go lower with less available wheat pasture. Most of our area needs a good rain. Some need that rain to have enough moisture to plant, while others need it to give this newly planted wheat the boost it needs to help develop its root system. A lot of these growing lots have received enough calves already that they are running short of available pens. A good general rain would help cure a lot of areas right now. The fat cattle market was very disappointing the first week in October. The last week in September, fat cattle traded at $96 to $96.50 per cwt. The first week in October (a week later) we traded at $92 per cwt. It seems the packers are the masters of manipulation. However, they say the packers are losing money. But now that we mention it--I think I can show a close-out or two where I lost money. Our cattle market works off of momentum, and once that momentum is changed or slowed down then the psychology changes. I still say a big part of the problem with the fat cattle market is the amount of cattle provided to the packer that he does not have to compete for. The packer is fully aware of this advantage to him and that is the only reason he gives 50 cents or a dollar over the practical top for the week. He is not paying more because they are better cattle. He wants the extra cattle committed to him so he can buy most all the fat cattle cheaper. Editor's Note: Jerry Nine, Woodward, Okla., is a lifetime cattleman who grew up on his family's ranch near Laverne, Okla. Date: 10/17/07
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