CALF_News_October_November_2020

31 CALF News • October | November 2020 • www.calfnews.net Blach said beef exports remain essential, with a value of about $350 per head coming from foreign sales, and could reach $500 by 2030. Also, with different markets, expect producers to develop more niche markets to handle the high demand for high-quality beef. He said calves raised on a preconditioning, VAC-type pro- gram will continue to see premiums over “commodity” cattle that don’t make the grade sought by consumers. Results from video sales show that calves on VAC, natural or other pro- grams average from $40 to $70 per head more vs. commodity cattle (see graphic). VAC and other program calves bring strong premiums in video sales. (Source, CattleFax) Industry’s fIrst automated squeeze chute Brute Cattle equipment 402.693.2221 www.dodgemfg.com ® Visit us on the Web, facebook or twitter for video demonstrautions. A utonomous C atch-chute E lIte Brute douBle & sIngle Wedge alleys, tuBs & loadouts call today! TEXAS FEED FAT CO., INC. P.O. Box 1790 • Durant, Oklahoma 74702 Ted Kirkpatrick, Owner We specialize in Quality Feed Fat and Quality Service. Leaders in the feed fat industry since 1974! With 2 locations to serve you. Call Us Today! TEXAS FEED FAT CO., INC. Durant, Oklahoma Kirk Sehi (580) 924-1890 Hereford, Texas (806) 363-6490 Continued on page 33  Blach reminded producers that seasonal calf markets typi- cally are lower from September through November, meaning altering sales could add more to the bottom line. “We expect calf prices to increase toward the end of the year,” he said. In addition, he had these overall price projections for 2021:  550-lb. steers, average price of $166/cwt., with a low of $155 and high of $180.  750-lb. steers, $145/cwt., with a low of $140 and high of $160.  Fed steers, $115/cwt., with a low of $105 and high of $125.  Utility cows, $61/cwt., with a low of $60 and high of $70.  Composite cutout, $220/cwt., with a low $195 and high of $240.  All fresh retail price, $6/lb., with a low of $5.85 and high of $6.15.  Spot corn futures, $3.50/bu., with a low $3.20 and high $3.90. U.S. CattleTrace The convention presentations transitioned to other pro- duction and marketing topics. One critical subject looked at U.S. CattleTrace (USCT). As its transition phase continues, USCT maintains a vision to be “a producer-driven, national leader in animal disease traceability,” said Callahan Grund, USCT executive director. With the demand for safe, healthy, quality beef by domestic and foreign consumers,“there is a real need for animal dis- ease traceability,” he said.“As we’ve worked with the multiple