Calf prices, price protection.

[littlejoe]

Latest contract I heard offerred was on string of good black calves, Apr born, Oct del, 800 head strs @ 1.50 @ 600#.

Weighed @ the ranch, I'll ask about conditions/pencil shrink.

25---50 bucks down isn't really much security @ today's prices.

U.S. has some kind of 'Livestock price protection' coverage.

Anybody looked into that?

Anybody buying any puts?

Or other form of hedging?

I'd like to keep the 'up' potential, while having a floor---

 

[jodywy]

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=CROP_LIVESTOCK_INSUR

 

[Anonymous]

Pairs sold at Miles City today for $2000....

 

[littlejoe]

Pairs sold at Miles City today for $2000....

Jody, thanks for the link.

OT---Went thru the turned out pairs yesterday, got to talking and figuring who'd be about ready to go this fall---mostly due to age----and lite bulb went on---(it's dark in there!)---why wait?

 

[LCP]

Thinking about buying some puts but they're so expensive. And I'm a little gun shy about hedging since I'm still in at 119 on November feeders (ouch). looked good at the time. MIght have to bite the bullet and do something though.

 

[RSL]

Alberta government is offering a price insurance program for feds, feeders and now calves.
We have looked into it, and may try it out later in the year...We will see
http://www.afsc.ca/Default.aspx?cid=1173&lang=1

The calf program struggles a bit to meet our offbeat production schedule.