Harding Hall 202
Economics-Box 2220
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007
Matthew provides analysis and insights for producers and agribusinesses as they understand and implement commodity marketing and insurance tools. He serves on the technical advisory committee of the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) and participates on the NCCC-134 regional committee.
With higher overall price levels, the price differences across cattle of different weights have also increased. As a result, producers may want to revisit some pricing rules reflected in price slides and in basis levels for lighter-weight feeder cattle.
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.
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.
