Whether you watched Superior's Corn Belt Classic online video auction or Northern Livestock Video's Early Summer Special, there was one conclusion everyone walked away with: Feeder cattle prices are going to be higher in 2025 than they were in 2024.

While that may seem like an obvious conclusion when fed cash cattle prices are trading just a couple of dollars below the market's peak made in June and boxed beef prices are trading at an all-time high -- second only to the COVID price peak in 2020 -- it's hard to pinpoint where to price your calves until the markets give some indication of what buyers are willing to pay for fall delivery type calves. Thankfully, again this year, cattlemen are pleased to see prices trading sharply higher.

On Superior's Corn Belt Classic, region two steers (which includes cattle from Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado and Utah) consistently saw steers weighing between 500 and 740 pounds trade $38 to $66 per hundredweight (cwt) more than in 2024. The biggest year-over-year advancement was on the steers weighing 550 to 590 pounds, which traded on average $66.86 cwt more than compared to the sale results of the CBC in 2024. The thinnest year-over-year advancement was on the 700- to 740-pound steers, which still traded $38.30 cwt more than compared to the sale results in 2024. And to put the market's astonishing price gains into perspective, over the last two years, cattle that traded on the Corn Belt Classic have sold $53 to $102 cwt more than compared to the prices seen in 2023.

It was interesting to note that heifers traded anywhere from $20 to $35 cwt back compared to where the steers were trading. Given that the industry sits with a historically small cowherd, one would logically think the heifer-mates to the steers would be priced more similarly. But from a buyer perspective, they religiously kept heifers priced back as they must control their costs somewhere in this unfathomable market.

And while these sale results may grab your attention, I want to address the elephant in the room and the bearish news that's swept over the marketplace this week: the reopening of the border to Mexican cattle imports. I know for those of you who have already marketed your cattle, you're most likely wiping your brow thinking, "Phew! Dodged that bullet." But for those who have yet to market their 2025 calf crop, I want to take the emotional charge out of USDA's announcement and simply talk facts with you for a second.

I understand it's frustrating that USDA broke this announcement when the feeder cattle market was seeming to regain power and momentum throughout the futures complex. I understand that, from a grassroots perspective, there's an argument to be made that less imports would help keep domestic prices strong and maybe even encourage more people into the business if true profitably could be the market's norm as opposed to the occasional bone thrown.

But like it or not, our marketplace relies heavily on imports. And although USDA said some ports could see cattle as soon as July 7, it's likely the influx of cattle coming into the U.S. will be slow like we saw after the border was reopened earlier this year. When the initial outbreak of New World screwworm happened in November 2024, imports were banned, and it wasn't until February 2025 that we slowly began to see Mexican cattle reentering into the U.S.

From a cow-calf perspective, I understand your greatest fear is you're going to miss out on these record prices because readily available supplies of feeder cattle could increase with imported Mexican feeder cattle. And while you are correct that risk is a concern, USDA was adamant that their reopening of the border was going to happen in phases as opposed to simply opening the flood gates and hoping that all went well. DTN's Livestock Editor Jennifer Carrico fully covered the matter here: https://www.dtnpf.com/….

In conclusion, I pray this column helps you recognize two distinct points. Number one: Prices are strong; No, prices are RECORD HIGH, nearly unbelievably high. And as the old saying goes, it's best to make hay while the sun is shining! Take advantage of this marketplace and the money that's being offered. And number two: Even though the futures complex broke lower earlier this week because of USDA's announcement of the border reopening, you still have time to strategically market your calves.

ShayLe Stewart can be reached at shayLe.stewart@dtn.com

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.