Cow-Calf Corner | September 8, 2025

Cattle and Beef Market Margins

Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist

Cattle and beef markets started a strong run up about three years ago in late 2022. Price increases at various levels of cattle and beef markets have had differing impacts on the complex set of market levels in the industry.

Calf and Feeder Prices

Combined Oklahoma auction prices for 500-pound steers (M/L, No.1) pushed higher for the eleventh consecutive week last week, averaging $471.51/cwt, and a value of $2,358/head. The current price is up 55.4 percent year over year and up 135.6 percent since the same period in 2022. Prices for 800-pound steers (M/L, No. 1) averaged $369.71/cwt. last week, or $2,958/head, up 52.1 percent for the same week last year and up 107.4 percent since 2022.

Fed Prices

The 5-Area fed price averaged $242.90/cwt. last week, with an average weight of 1500 pounds and a value of $3.644/head. The price was up 34.1 percent year over year and up 70.0 percent for the same week in 2022.

Boxed Beef Prices

Choice boxed beef price averaged $413.60/cwt last week, up 33.1 percent from one year ago and up 59.2 percent since 2022. The monthly retail all-fresh beef price in July was $8.90/lb., up 9.2 percent year over year and up 21.3 percent since July 2022.

Margin Squeeze

The price changes reported above illustrate what happens when tight supplies drive cattle and beef markets. Higher calf prices do eventually get passed on to consumers, but only partially. All the margin levels in between also share in the margin squeeze. Since 2022, calf prices have increased by 135.6 percent; feeder cattle prices are up by 107.4 percent; fed prices have increased 70.0 percent; boxed beef prices are up 59.2 percent; and retail prices have increased by 21.3 percent. For all the margin sectors; stockers, feedlot, packers, and retailers, the cost of inputs has increased more and faster than the value of outputs.

The time dynamics between cattle and beef market sectors are complex. Not all margins adjust by the same amount and at the same time. Up to this point, packers have faced most of the losses due to lousy buy-sell margins. Feedlots have avoided much of the margin challenges thus far, largely due to the strongly up trending market combined with the time lag between placements and marketings (extended by more days on feed in most cases) and a sharp decrease in feed costs. Feedlot cost of gain is down over 28 percent since the peak in early 2023. Stocker producers are being squeezed hard from both directions as high calf prices increase stocker purchase cost and feedlots are competing more for limited feeder supplies (including lighter weight feeders) due relatively low cost of gain. Retailers have faced relatively less of the margin challenge up to this point due to strong consumer beef demand and ample beef supplies. Beef production is declining faster now, and retailers will face more challenges as beef production continues to decline in the coming months.

Margins for the various cattle and beef sectors will continue to adjust with the general squeeze expected to persist as prices continue to move higher until several months after heifer retention begins (no sign of that yet!). Cow-calf producers will continue to enjoy strong returns and the higher calf prices that encourage herd rebuilding. Those higher calf prices will continue to work their way through the industry up to consumers in a complex set of market dynamics affecting the various sectors in a variety of ways.

Seven Percent Rule of Body Condition Scores

Mark Z. Johnson, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Breeding Specialist

The body condition scoring system (BCS) is used to assess body energy reserves in beef cows. The BCS system used for beef cattle ranges from 1 to 9. A score of 1 indicates cows that are thin and emaciated, cows of BCS 9 are fat and obese. Pictures and definitions of the BCS system can be found in Chapter 20 of the 8^th edition of the OSU Beef Cattle Manual.

When condition scoring cows, producers should look beyond age, frame size, depth, length pregnancy status and hair coat. The condition scoring system is intended to provide a consistent system to quantify relative fatness regardless of these other factors that create difference in cows‘ appearance. There is a strong relationship between weight and BCS. For each unit change in BCS, cows should gain or lose approximately 7% of their BCS 5 weight. For example, a cow that weighs 1,200 lbs. at a BCS 5 should reach a BCS of 6 at 1,284 lbs. or drop to a BCS 4 at 1,116 lbs.

Best time to Evaluate BCS?

Typically, late summer/early fall when cows are slicked off and in 2^nd trimester of pregnancy is the most accurate and easiest time of the management cycle to evaluate BCS on cows. Weaning time or at time of fall pregnancy checks is realistically the most convenient time of the annual management cycle to capture a weight on cows. If cows need to be fed and managed to have adequate BCS by the start of calving season, managing for a target weight gain can be effective.

Why is BCS Important?

One of the major constraints in the improvement of reproductive efficiency in cows is the length of post-partum anestrous. If cows are to maintain a calving interval of one year, they must bred back within 80 – 85 days after calving. In both old and young cows, it is well established that BCS at calving time determines the rebreeding performance of beef cows in the subsequent breeding season. Cows maintaining body weight, therefore having ample energy reserves before parturition, exhibit estrus sooner than cows losing weight. Body weight change during pregnancy is confounded with fetus and placenta growth. Therefore, the estimation of body fat by use of BCS is more useful in quantifying the energy reserves of beef cows. The process of fetal development, delivering a calf, milk production and repair of the reproductive tract are all physiological stresses. These stresses require the availability and utilization of large quantities of energy to enable cows to rebreed in the required 85 days. Cold and/or wet weather is often faced by spring calving cows and adds additional environmental stress resulting in energy intake that is below body maintenance needs. The cow compensates by mobilizing stored energy or adipose tissue which is why adequate BCS at calving is so critical to reproductive performance.

The Goal

Producers should manage their calving season, genetics, grazing system, supplementation program and herd health to achieve an average BCS of 5 to 6 (target 5.5) in the mature cow herd at calving time. The goal for first calf heifers is to have a BCS of 6 at calving. Typically the greatest reproductive challenge in beef cattle is the breed back of two-year old females raising their first calf, lactating for the first time and still growing themselves, accordingly the higher BCS of 6 is recommended.

Reference: Beef Cattle Manual. Eight Edition. E-913. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension. Chapter 20.

Fall Armyworms are a Threat to Newly Planted Wheat

Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist

Rains this summer have given a great opportunity for what pasture this fall. There have been many reports of large populations of fall army worms feeding on volunteer wheat and other cool-season annuals in crop fields. Tillage as we prepare seedbeds for planting can remove host vegetation and disrupt habitat but has varied effect on the life cycle of fall armyworms. As wheat planting progresses across Oklahoma, producers need to be vigilant—fall armyworms can quickly erode stand vigor and reduce grazing potential.

Identification

Adult moths span about 1½ inches. Males have dark gray, mottled wings with a pale diagonal stripe and a white tip spot; females are duller gray-brown. Eggs are laid in masses of 50–200 and covered with fuzzy scales. Mature larvae reach around 1½ inches long, with green, brown, or nearly black coloration, four small black spots per abdominal segment, and a distinctive pale, inverted “Y” on the head.

Life Cycle

These pests don’t overwinter in Oklahoma. They migrate north each summer from the Gulf Coast, Texas, or Mexico, typically arriving by late June. Generations overlap into October or November, with each female laying approximately 1,000 eggs—leading to rapid population growth (Royer et al., EPP-20-25; OSU Wheat Update, Oct 2024).

Damage

Seedling wheat is highly vulnerable to fall armyworm damage. Feeding by small armyworms creates a “windowpane” effect—scraped-off leaf tissue leaving a translucent membrane. Heavier feeding by larger armyworms can strip plants bare, weakening stands and delaying tillering (OSU Wheat Update, Oct 2024).

Scouting & Thresholds

Scout fields closely from emergence onwards. Check lodged or dense areas first. Use a square-foot sampling tool or count per linear foot of row:

Common threshold: 2–3 larvae per linear foot of wheat row.
Smaller caterpillars (<½ inch) are much easier to manage—act early.

Management

Timing: Target early morning or late evening applications of pesticides.
Products:
Pyrethroids—economical but short-lived and easily washed off.
IGRs (e.g., Intrepid) work on small larvae but require ingestion and lack rainfastness.
Chlorantraniliprole-based products (e.g., Vantacor)—provide longer, rainfast control across larval sizes.
Labels matter: Always follow label instructions, especially grazing restrictions.

Additional Considerations

Warm weather accelerates both armyworm development and treatment effectiveness. Natural enemies—parasitic wasps, flies, viruses—help but aren’t sufficient to prevent outbreaks. If fungicide is already planned, a tank mix with an insecticide may be efficient.

Key Takeaways

Fall armyworms are an annual threat to Oklahoma wheat—particularly for fields planted for dual-purpose grazing. Prevent forage loss through prompt scouting and early action. For current recommendations and support, contact your local OSU county Extension office.

“We will not get relief from fall armyworms until we get a killing frost, so keep vigilant!” Amanda Silva, OSU Cooperative Extension Small Grazing Specialist

References

Royer TA and Seuhs K. 2021. Fall armyworms may become a problem in turf and grass pastures. EPP-20-25. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Stillwater, OK. Available: OSU Turfgrass Science site.
Faris A. 2025. Armyworms in Wheat. EPP-25-18. OSU Extension e-Pest Alert, May 2025.
Silva A. 2024. Wheat update – planting and fall armyworm, OSU Wheat blog, Oct 11, 2024.

Tips for Overseeding Winter Annuals

Mike Trammel, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service SE District Agronomy Specialist

Overseeding cool-season annual forage crops such as annual ryegrass and small grains (cereal rye, wheat, oats, and triticale) is a widely used establishment practice in the South for grazing or hay production. These crops can produce high-quality forage in late fall, winter, and spring, depending on establishment method and fertilization. They can be established using tillage or by overseeding existing pastures. The biggest challenge for managing these cool-season annual forage crops when overseeding is to manage the growth of the warm-season grass component (i.e., bermudagrass or bahiagrass) so that it does not impede the annual ryegrass or small grain germination and establishment. The following tips can be used as guidelines to ensure a successful stand when overseeding perennial warm-season pastures:

Take a representative soil sample, and make sure the perennial warm-season pasture is grazed or clipped short (about 3 inches).
Annual ryegrass can be drilled or broadcasted. Plant annual ryegrass seed at 20 pounds per acre if drilling or 30 pounds per acre if broadcasting the seed. For overseeding with small grains, prepare the seed bed by lightly disking to increase seed-soil contact. After seeding, use a chain harrow or roller to make sure that all seed reaches the ground and is not stuck in the warm-season stubble. Another preferred option—is to use a no-till drill, which also requires that the pasture be clipped less to about 3 inches. In some cases, chemical sod suppression can be applied such as a light dose of glyphosate (5–8 ounces of a 41 percent product per acre). Cool-season annual planting can occur 5–7 days after a glyphosate application. When using a no-till drill, make sure it is calibrated correctly to place the seed at the recommended depth. Small grains can be planted at seeding rates of 90–120 pounds per acre. Seeding rates need to be adjusted depending on whether cool-season annual forage crops are being established as a monoculture or mix.
Apply phosphorus and potassium based on soil test recommendations. It is recommended to apply 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre at planting and another 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre in late winter before spring growth begins.
Once the cool-season annual forage crop is established, it is best to keep animals off the pasture until the plants reach a grazing height of 8–10 inches. Graze down to about 3 inches of stubble height and remove or rotate the animals from the pasture to allow recovery.
Keep in mind that it is important to graze down cool-season annual forage crops in late spring to avoid suppression of summer perennial warm-season pastures. It is best to increase your stocking rate in the spring, when annual ryegrass is at peak production. Annual ryegrass will use the available moisture and then shade the warm season grass crop as it is trying to break dormancy. The result is a severely weakened stand of warm season grass with a low yield potential.

Survey of Oklahoma Cattle Producers Regarding Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

Jonathon Cammock, OSU Cooperative Extension Livestock Entomologist

The Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Entomology Program is seeking participants for a study on the impact of ticks on beef and dairy cattle production in Oklahoma. We are looking for producers who are willing to complete a brief survey, to help us assess tick and tick-borne disease knowledge and prevalence, and identify preventative measures taken to protect producers, employees, and livestock from tick bites and tick-borne diseases. Information collected will be used to develop Extension programming targeted at your needs as cattle producers. We would appreciate if you could take the time to participate!

To access the survey if you are interested in participating Questionnaire: Assessment of Oklahoma Cattle Producer’s Knowledge and Awareness of Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases

OSU Livestockbugs.okstate.edu logo

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