Brett Wessler  |   December 6, 2011

A survey of cattle-industry leaders expect the cash cattle market to fall for a second consecutive week. Industry professionals expect cash cattle prices to fall $1.95 to $122.92 per cwt.

The Monday Market Sentiment is a forecast of the upcoming weekly cash trade (5-Area weighted average price) prices reported by the USDA. Cash cattle prices declined slightly last week, falling six cents to $124.87 but remain near this year’s high.

Cash cattle prices usually decrease as the grilling season has ended and colder temperatures approach. Tight supplies have kept prices near this year’s peak, but demand is tapering off following the short holiday week.  Feeder cattle prices are high and feeding costs are softening as wheat pastures in Oklahoma provide ample feed supplies.

Each week the Cattle Trader Center, on behalf of Vance Publishing, awards a $100 gift certificate from Cabela's to the industry leader whose forecast comes closest to the 5-Area cash trade number reported by the USDA. The most recent winner was Joe Morgan, Poky Feeders.