Since 1994 prices have declined and struggled at break-even levels or below.
Projections are for prices to begin rising as the cattle cycle turns to more profitable times.
Keys to long term success in the beef business focus on maximizing profitability during the peak cycle years and minimizing production costs during the downtrend years. Cow-calf Manage winter feed cost by developing a least cost ration from available feedstuffs. Winter feed is the largest single cost for cow-calf production in Michigan. Select available by-product and cheaper feeds that will fit your feeding program. If we look at limit feeding programs that incorporate corn and hay, we can meet the cows' energy and protein requirements more economically than feeding hay alone.