long term cattle prospects

[ccrane]

I would like to here some opinions on what is going to happen to the livestock industry in the next ten years.Will the price of beef increase or decrease.I am a grain producer wondering if i should make the switch to livestock production.

[paladin]

Futures right now are setting up for big money fat cattle in the spring and if we get any moisture at all, breds & pairs will be expensive then as well. Analysts I've read predict the market is supposed to peak next year with a gradual decline until bottom in 2007/08. Still kind of dicey to call, lots of variables in the mix (drought, US Country of Origin, etc.)

[danm]

How about the Brazil factor? If they ever get there act together we will have to deal with it. Don't get me wrong I think as long as you know your costs & how to protect yourself you should do Ok in livestock.I had the pleasure of attending a grazing school in the first or November. Dr. Lee Manske was teaching. He had a grazing system compared to wheat farming & worked out that if your wheat yeilds averaged 40bu or lower you could make more money in cows. 40 -60 bu was still questionable. So maybe consider this info in your decison. Dr. Manske works out of North Dokota State University.
Good Luck