Top Farmer Conference: January 10, 2025

As one of the most successful and longest-running management programs specifically crafted for farmers, the Purdue Top Farmer Conference is a one-day event for agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals looking to navigate the complexities of today's agricultural landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to network with peers and hear from farm management experts and agricultural economists from Purdue, Farm Credit Services of America, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Acres, a land value data analytics company.

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cattle. beef

Impact of Higher Corn Prices on Cattle Finishing Net Returns

Each $0.10 increase in corn price results in an increase in feeding cost of gain of approximately $0.88.  In turn, each $1 increase in feeding cost of gain results in a $5.56 per head decrease in cattle finishing net returns. 

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Impact of Higher Corn Prices On Feeding Cost of Gain for Cattle Finishing

Given that the U.S. stocks to use ratio is currently only 9.2 percent and continued questions related to U.S. corn acreage in 2021, there is tremendous uncertainty regarding corn prices for the rest of this year.  To address this uncertainty, this article examines the impact of relatively high corn prices on feeding cost of gain for cattle finishing.

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Cattle Finishing Net Returns Prospects for 2021

COVID-19 and fluctuating fed cattle and feed prices resulted in another challenging year for cattle finishers. This article updates feeding cost of gain, breakeven prices, and net return estimates for 2020 and provides projections for the first half of 2021.

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Cattle Finishing Net Returns in 2020

This article discussed recent trends in feeding cost of gain, the feeder to fed price ratio, breakeven prices, and cattle finishing net returns. Average cattle finishing losses in 2019 were estimated to be approximately $80 per head. Average losses for 2020 are projected to be approximately $85 per head.

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Ag Outlook Webinar

Recorded June 12, 2020 | Purdue agricultural economists Michael Langemeier and James Mintert provide an updated ag outlook, which includes information from USDA’s June WASDE report along with updated profitability estimates for corn and soybeans. The webinar also addressed questions regarding eligibility for and assistance provided by USDA’s CFAP program.

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Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Application Details

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) from producers who have suffered losses. Indiana FSA Director Steve Brown and staff join Jim Mintert for a discussion on eligibility requirements, payment rates and application details of the 2020 CFAP program.

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Impact of COVID-19 on Cattle Finishing Net Returns

First quarter net returns were a negative $10 per head, and the prospects for the second quarter are very dismal.  In addition to discussing net return prospects, this article discusses trends in feeding cost of gain, the feeder to fed price ratio, and breakeven prices.

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Update on the Livestock and Meat Situation

Recorded April 28, 2020 | Purdue ag economists Jayson Lusk and James Mintert review the shifts in pork and beef production resulting from COVID-19 along with the impact these shifts have had on U.S. wholesale beef and pork prices as well as prices for cattle and hogs.

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COVID-19 Impacts on Pork and Beef

Processing plant closures sharply reduced livestock slaughter volume for both cattle and hogs in recent weeks. Federally inspected cattle slaughter the week ending April 25th, at 469 thousand head, was down 27% compared both to the first week of 2020 and the same week a year earlier.

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COVID-19’s Impacts on U.S. Food and Agriculture Webinar

Recorded April 20, 2020 | Purdue ag economists Jayson Lusk, Michael Langemeier, and James Mintert examine COVID-19’s impact on U.S. food and agriculture.

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