It seems as though we say it year after year, but what a year 2024 was! With last year behind us, and the new year a month in, we look forward to what 2025 has to bring. Each year, CattleFax offers an Outlook and Strategies Seminar, taking a look into what has happened and what the future is predicted to look like for the cattle market. The key message I walked away with this year was: The time is now.

Here is what I mean.

The cattle cycle has a proven track record that it lasts 10–11 years. The measurement of the cattle cycle is from low to high and high to low. The up part of the cycle typically lasts 4–5 years and the down part 5–6 years. The current cattle cycle remains much slower and more prolonged compared to the last. The low in the cattle price cycle was in 2020, and the peak in prices would suggest a cash high to develop in the fall of 2025, while the supply forecast would suggest the tightest supply during 2026.

Industry profitability will continue to swing in favor of the cow/calf producer as excess feeding and packing capacity sees a decline in supply of feeder cattle and calves. So, for cow-calf producers, the time is now.

Setting up your cow herd for success starts now. It takes two years for a heifer to enter the production cow herd. Back that up by 9 months in gestation, and those calves that are to make you money while the cattle cycle is projected to be at the downturn are conceived now. While calf values are currently high, the value of a calf may be even more so during the turn to the low point of the cycle. Those calves are getting programmed now, even before they hit the ground, and their own performance possibilities are being scripted as we speak. We now know that through fetal programming how we feed and manage momma cows determines the health, growth performance, carcass merit and/or reproductive longevity of that valuable calf. See a past blog on more specifics of fetal programming.

For supplemental protein when forages alone are short on protein supplied to the pregnant beef cow, provide a CRYSTALYX^® protein supplement such as BGF-30. Minerals and vitamins are critical to a pregnant animal’s diet and to the future performance success of the calf. For superior trace mineral nutrition, which supports healthier calves, heavier calves at weaning and improved pregnancy rates, provide a CRYSTALYX^® BLUEPRINT™ option such as Crystalyx Blueprint 6 Phos or Crystalyx Blueprint 20AN. At weaning time or during periods of stress, get a BRIGADE^® or BATTALION^® barrel in front of your cattle. No matter the situation, the time is now to capitalize on the strong market and to nutritionally prepare the cow herd for the years to come.