Beef Marketing and Economics

All Beef Marketing and Economics Content

Participants Kari Feldhaus and Kelsy Hokana work together on an educational activity during Annie’s Project in Britton.

Jun 18

Livestock Risk Protection Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month we will cover the basics of Livestock Risk Protection (LRP).

Calves at sunrise at the SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility.

Calves From Other Sources

A few longer-run trends continue to dominate the supply-side story of cattle in South Dakota. Beef cow numbers continue to decline. The number of feeder cattle outside of feedlots has remained stable.

Black beef cattle at a feedbunk at an SDSU research facility.

Feeder Cattle Basis

Feeder cattle basis levels observed during 2025 specific to South Dakota locations were higher than expected throughout 2025 and sharply higher in November and December, perhaps reflecting a tight supply of feeder cattle nationally.

Red angus cattle gathered in a feedlot in winter.

Livestock

South Dakota is home to a dynamic livestock industry.

Beef

Home to more than 1 million head of cattle, South Dakota’s producers can rely on SDSU Extension for research-based information, best management practices and resources to support healthy and profitable herds.

Row of black cattle lined up at a feed bunk.

Live Cattle Basis

Futures prices are from organized trades that provide price information for buyers and sellers of commodities. Local cash prices can be compared to futures prices using a basis measure. With an expected basis measure, producers can observe futures prices and infer cash prices.