Corona Virus and the Cattle Market

[strojanherefords]

Out here in California, the coronavirus has hit the cattle market hard. Butcher cows have dropped in half in two weeks and we don't have a functioning market for feeder calves or breeding stock. I have heard anywhere between a couple of weeks and our until August for the market to straighten out.  I have some spring pair that I was planning sell and trade back for some fall-calvers but it looks like I am going to have to hold them. 

[allenw]

It's definitely turned things upside down. I put a couple of steers on feed that I was going to sell instead of taking a chance at the sale barn.

Last week one local custom slaughter house was booked until mid August and another was booked until mid June.

[cflory]

As you have seen in the news the last couple days, packing houses shutting down. 2 million chickens euthanized, deciding on fats or incoming feeders pigs to do the same? Sad and unknown times. At least with cattle you can slow them down or kick them out on grass. One time Id rather be setting on 300lb calves and not 900lbers.

[timbernt]

2 weeks later and the insanity continues.