With generally improving pastures and lower expected feed costs this year, the demand for feeder calves is well supported.

Since October 2022, drought conditions have improved for much of the country, to the point where less than 24% of the U.S. is under drought conditions.

U.S. beef production is poised to end 2022 with another record in total output, as January through October federally inspected slaughtered beef hit 23.25 billion pounds – a 1.9% increase over the same 10-month period from 2021’s record production.

Drought and pasture conditions have improved from the previous month, but the situation is still very poor compared to last year and previous years. 

At the close of the year’s second quarter, beef cattle producers continue to cull a large portion of their breeding herds, as shown in Figure 1 of weekly volumes of federally inspected beef cow slaughter for the previous three years.