In Wyoming, 2023 followed a similar trend to the five-year average with a peak in August followed by a steady decline through the fall. In 2024, the price peaked in June and followed a downward trend similar to the stock market and most classes of cattle. The southern plains region follows a similar historical pattern to Wyoming, with a noticeable peak in August. If 2025 reflects what has happened in the past, we can expect cull cow prices to reach seasonal highs during the summer months in both the northern and southern plains.
Seasonal peaks in the cull cow market coincide with times where destocking pastures can alleviate pressure on drought-stricken rangelands. Drought conditions across the High Plains have persisted through the fall of 2024, with expanding severe drought across the Dakotas. The last USDA Crop Progress report on pasture and range conditions, released on October 28, indicated that pasture in 51% of the contiguous 48 states was rated poor to very poor. An increase of 15% from the previous year. Hopefully spring moisture brings relief, but if drought continues, a list of cull cows ready to market may help reduce stress on pastures and capture some of the historical high points of the cull cow market.
Though cull cow marketing and drought management may not be immediate concerns during calving season, proactive planning can alleviate pasture stress and improve financial outcomes, especially if drought conditions persist.
Source : osu.edu