Marketing Aids for the Cattle Feeder

Excerpts from the report Preface: Cattle feeders in the United States buy and sell in a nationwide market. Thus, information concerning placements of feeder cattle, marketings from feedlots, and average weights is of value in making their own placement and marketing decisions. Estimates of future placements and subsequent marketings throughout the Nation are also of value when used in proper perspective with recent market reports and knowledge of special conditions such as adverse weather. A single set of predictor formulas for cattle feeders to determine probable nationwide placements, marketings, and average market weights is presented in this report. These formulas were developed primarily for use by feedlot operators, farm managers, and extension workers. Ways of using the estimators for maximum benefit are discussed here in nontechnical terms. Statistical terminology is in the appendix. Formula reliability is shown by comparing the quarterly formula predictions for 1957-68 with the actual figures. The initial demand for this publication exhausted supplies. Since a reprint was necessary, all predictor formulas were updated to include data through mid-1968. Therefore, the formulas are somewhat different than those appearing in the original publication.