Feeder CattleFC1
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Feeder Cattle Price Chart
About Feeder Cattle (FC1)
Feeder Cattle futures (FC1) track the CME benchmark for young cattle weighing 650-849 pounds that are placed into feedlots for finishing. Feeder cattle prices are influenced by both the beef market and corn prices, as feed costs represent the largest expense in cattle finishing.
Feeder Cattle Price Drivers
Feeder Cattle prices are influenced by global supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, weather patterns, currency fluctuations, and economic indicators. Futures contracts traded on exchanges like COMEX, NYMEX, and ICE provide price discovery, while physical market conditions and inventory levels drive spot pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are feeder cattle?
- Feeder cattle are young cattle (typically 6-10 months old, weighing 650-849 pounds) that have been weaned and are ready to enter feedlots. In feedlots, they are fed a high-energy grain diet for 120-180 days until they reach market weight (1,200-1,400 pounds) and become 'fed cattle' for slaughter.
- How do feeder cattle prices relate to corn?
- Feeder cattle prices are inversely related to corn prices. When corn is expensive, it costs more to finish cattle in feedlots, reducing what feedlots can pay for feeder cattle. The 'cattle crush' spread (live cattle minus feeder cattle minus corn) measures feedlot profitability.
- What is the difference between feeder and live cattle?
- Feeder cattle (FC1) are young, lighter cattle entering feedlots for fattening. Live cattle (LC1) are finished, market-ready animals heading to slaughter. Feeder cattle prices are more sensitive to feed costs (corn), while live cattle prices respond more to consumer beef demand and packing capacity.