CattleFax

What is CattleFax?

CattleFax is a member-owned information organization serving producers in all segments of the cattle business. CattleFax was formed in 1968 by a group of progressive cattlemen who saw the value of a self-help system to collect, analyze and distribute information needed for good marketing and business decisions which has resulted in the largest private database in the country.

Who belongs to CattleFax?

 Members are professional cattlemen of all sizes and types who recognize that no business decision can be better than the information on which it is based. CattleFax membership currently represents over 53% of the cattle on feed in the seven-state area, and 52% of the membership is comprised of cow/calf and stocker producers.

Who runs CattleFax?

Cattlemen run CattleFax. CattleFax is a member-directed corporation. It is governed by a board of directors, elected from the membership. The staff of CattleFax is comprised of market analysts, research analysts, data collectors, an information services department and service personnel.

Isn't CattleFax geared more to serve large feedlot operations?

Absolutely not. CattleFax does indeed serve large feedlots--in fact, feeders of all sizes. The organization also services cow/calf and stocker operators, who in fact make up half of the total membership. Regardless of your size and type of operation, CattleFax analysts can provide you up-to-the-minute information to help you make the most critical business decisions. Various levels of memberships and rates are available, depending on your type of operation.

What kinds of information are available from CattleFax?

Just about any information and analysis you need to make better long and short-term marketing and management decisions. A sample of information would be:

• Cash market information for fed cattle, feeder cattle, slaughter cows and calves. This includes local prices for any specific class, segment or region, plus national markets and trends.
• Specific cow/calf and stocker information such as:
  • market activity 
  • movement
  • contracting
  • equity positions
  • costs and much more
  • feeder cattle availability
  • representative direct sales
  • marketing alternatives
  • range conditions and lease rates
• Specific fed-cattle information including, but not limited to:
  • feedlot conditions
  • cattle performance
  • projected marketings
  • boxed beef markets
  • forward contracting
  • currentness and bargaining positions
  • showlists for major feeding states
  • cattle weights and numbers
  • latest prices and trade volumes
  • packer inventories and activities
• Information for use in long-term planning, purchasing and risk management programs. CattleFax's unique database, developed from information supplied by members, assists cattlemen to make better plans as well as marketing and management decisions.

That's pretty comprehensive. Is that the extent of it?

No, there's more. CattleFax also provides information on weather conditions and outlook by region, industry structural changes and trends, competitive meats, feed grains, foreign markets and production costs.

We hear a lot about personalized CattleFax service. How does it work?

The cornerstone of CattleFax is the staff of analysts. Choice and Prime Producer members, have unlimited access to the entire professional staff. You will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with an analyst who specializes with your type of operation and in your region of the country. The analyst will be able to answer your questions with the most current information and analyses available anywhere. Analysts can assist you with developing a marketing plan and a sound risk-management program, including an assessment of your operation's break-evens, as well as evaluating different marketing alternatives.

What kind of reports do members receive?

Every CattleFax member receives a subscription to the weekly Update, the exclusive weekly report summarizing placements, in-weights, fed-cattle marketings, current and prospective prices, contracting and formula activity, wholesale beef trade, competitive meats, feed supplies, long-range weather outlook, plus other weekly statistics. Furthermore, it has analyses and outlooks for the next week and for two to four months out. In addition to the weekly Update, there is the annual Cow/Calf Survey, two Long Term Outlooks and other Special publications. 

Are there other ways to receive CattleFax information?

Yes, you can receive CattleFax market information on DTN (Data Transmission Network), FarmDayta or access it through the Members Only section of the web site. The Update that you receive at the beginning of each week can be E-mailed to you or web accessed through the Members Only section of the web site.  Instant or delayed market information can also be retreived from DTN, or it can be faxed at a relatively low cost. These services allow you to receive the Update and valuable information on Friday, the day of publication. Members have access to the members-only password-secure area.

Okay, but can't I get the same kinds of information from other sources?

No. CattleFax is the only information service that provides data and analyses based on more than standard USDA data. Inventory, marketing and other information supplied by members goes into the exclusive CattleFax database, and what is disseminated is unique and vital information and analyses. When coupled with the special "feel" that the analysts have for the market, you will find you have an invaluable partner.

What's the CattleFax payoff?

Let's look at a few examples:

• A member had 170 slaughter cows to sell. He contacted his analyst and was advised that the cow market would likely strengthen in the near-term. The market improved by $2/cwt over the next 10 days, and the member realized an additional $3,000.
• A stocker operator was considering contracting calves three months before pasture was available. After consulting with his analyst, he went ahead as planned. He purchased his cattle for $2.50/cwt less than if he had waited for available pasture. His membership helped him save $5,400.
• A feeder called CattleFax on Monday morning, seeking advice on a bid for a pen of Choice steers. The feeder's analyst noted that the bid was lower than the practical market in the feeder's region. Three hours and two phone calls later, the feeder reported that he had sold his steers for $1,200 more than he would have originally.
• Recognizing the changing structure of the industry and following CattleFax reports, a cattleman realized that he must become a lower-cost producer. He obtained cost data from CattleFax and took steps to make his business more efficient, minimizing losses in low-price periods and increasing profit opportunities at times when prices rose.

Does CattleFax have other marketing tools?

Yes, numerous marketing tools are available to enhance your management and marketing decisions.

• The Cattle Industry Reference Guide is a comprehensive guide with easily understood graphs, charts, maps and tabular data of cattle numbers, prices from 1980-present, production and consumption numbers, exports and imports, feed grain supply and demand, and the industry structure.
• The Retained Ownership Analysis provides a detailed analysis on 20 different marketing programs for spring and fall calves.
• CattleFax also conducts two- and three-day Corporate Colleges, offering the most in-depth look at the cattle industry.

How do I become a CattleFax member?

Simply call 1 (800) 825-7525 and ask for Member Services. Begin receiving the information that increasing numbers of cattlemen have been relying on for nearly 40 years. Many cattlemen who have survived and prospered during the rapid changes of the past 40 years have been CattleFax members.