Cattlemen's Classic opens in Kearney
by
Katie Gauthier
Story Created:
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:38 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 22, 2012 at 7:52 PM CDT
You've probably noticed it at the supermarket. The price of beef is up. But, is the price of cattle on the hoof up as well. That's the question News 5 tried to answer.
News 5's Katie Gauthier traveled to the Cattleman's Classic in Kearney.
The price of grain is up meaning the price of feed is up for cattleman as well. But with the ever-rising prices, cattlemen are also wreaking the benefits.
"The bull sales and even the cattle going to the sale barn, they've been excellent," said Zach Kearns.
Cattle prices are above average which is good news for Nebraska cattlemen including, Zach Kearns, owner of Kearn's Cattle Company in Rushville, Nebraska.
"That's great news," said Kearns.
And Ronette Heinrich Manager of the Nebraska Cattleman's Classic has already seen the trend in horse sales this week.
"Last night we were up about $500 from our average from a year ago," said Heinrich.
An all-time high in their horse sales, She expects to see the same trend for cattle. But it's a catch 22
"Sale ring prices are up but everyone's gotta remember cattleman's input costs are a lot higher, too," Kearns said. "It kinda weighs out ya know the corn price and all the price that it takes to get these cattle ready."
And it's not just the price of grain.
"Take a look at the land costs and what that has to do for cattlemen. Feed costs, fuel, it all adds up so we need the higher return on the profits to balance that out," Kearns said.
Most cattleman are ready for a spiral in prices.
"They need a break in the prices because they do pay more to get them fed, get them fat and ready for the consumers that buy them at the store," said Kearns.
There's one fact that you may not think of that's giving cattlemen a leg up.
"The nice weather," said Kearns.
The lack of moisture this winter, actually can be a plus for some
.
"It's been great to start calving and ya know like for us having bulls being produced, they've gained really good because they haven't had any harsh weather to deal with," Kearns said.
The Cattleman's Classic is free admission and is open to the public.
It runs through Sunday,
And Manager Ronette says there is something for everyone, no matter what your budget may be.
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