Pure Hedge

Peter McGinnGeneral Commentary

PURE HEDGE

CATTLE

In my opinion, the medium to short term outlook on the cattle market looks to be bearish.  In review of the daily charts, December fat cattle had a runup to 152 and attempt to retest the April high failed as now the market has had 3 consecutive lower sessions. Feeder cattle back month contracts are should be looked at being bought in the near term to avoid upside price risk as the prices have rallied slightly and closing just positive for the week. With the small rally in feeders but high feed costs, I believe the market is starting to put in a near term top and is at risk of retracing back down 30%. In order to take full advantage of price discovery, we must keep an astute eye on potential slaughter numbers and monthly Cattle on Feed reports.  Please take a look at the below listed puts and calls, so we can have a productive conversation about hedging your beef production using real examples. Also, select the link at the bottom to use our Cattle producers’ B/E calculator to have a more defined outlook at how you can protect your production. Keep in mind, commissions and fees are not included in the cost of the option.

LIVE CATTLE– PUTS

MONTHSTRIKEPRICEPREMIUM COST
SEP   
140.125$50
138.05$20
136.025$10
OCT  
 1401.250$500
 138.800$320
 136.500$200
DEC   
 1462.625$1050
 1442.000$800
 1401.150$460

*Cost in above table does not include commissions and fees

LIVE CATTLE– CALLS

MONTHSTRIKEPRICEPREMIUM COST
SEP   
150.012$4.80
148.025$10
146.100$40
OCT  
 150.350$140
 148.650$260
 1461.125$450
    
DEC   
 1561.275$510
 1541.825$730
 1522.525$1,010

*Cost in above table does not include commissions and fees

FEEDER CATTLE–CALLS

MONTHSTRIKEPRICEPREMIUM COST
OCT   
 1882.200$1,100
 1901.650$825
 1921.200$600
NOV   
 1883.550$1775
 1904.975$2487
 1922.225$1112.5
JAN   
 1904.950$2475
 1924.200$2100
 1943.550$1775

*Cost in above table does not include commissions and fees

FEEDER CATTLE–PUTS

MONTHSTRIKEPRICEPREMIUM COST
OCT   
 1761.450$725
 1781.950$975
 1802.600$1300
NOV   
 1802.700$1350
 1823.425$1712.5
 1844.250$2125
JAN   
 1804.100$2050
 1824.850$2425
 1845.675$2837.5

*Cost in above table does not include commissions and fees

CATTLE PRODUCERS HEDGING CALCULATOR

C:\Users\pMcGinn\Documents\Cattle Producer calculator.xlsx

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