Fall 2025 Cattle Feeder Enterprise Projections now available

With cattle prices at all-time highs, forward-thinking cattle feeders and backgrounders will be doing some calculations to determine what they can pay for feeder calves, and/or what they should forward contract them for. To assist with this task UW-Madison Division of Extension has assembled a set of projections using initial purchase prices for feeders calves derived from late September 2025 Wisconsin feeder calf sale reports.

These projections are intended to serve as an initial guide. They are based on regional averages; therefore, producers are strongly encouraged to use their own numbers rather than the estimated costs to evaluate their specific situation.

Download Fall 2025 Cattle Feeder Enterprise Projections examples

Projected sale prices were estimated by looking at futures contract prices and considering seasonal and cyclical trends in addition to current placements and animal breed influence on prices. 

Market volatility can result in rapid changes in margins. The projections suggest there is opportunity for profit for some of the enterprises if cash prices follow what the futures market is predicting they will be. Price optimism remains strong due to tight supplies of feeder cattle coupled with continued strong demand for beef.

For users to evaluate their own situation, we recommend using the UW-Madison Extension Feedlot Enterprise Budget Tool (xls) that the projection sheets were adapted from. The fully functional Extension Feedlot Enterprise Budget Tool includes section tabs to help producers evaluate their operation more accurately. The projection’s example spreadsheets do not include functional yardage calculator and ration cost calculator components due to the way they are assembled into one spreadsheet. Customizable sections include Feed Costs, Yardage, and Labor and Management. Using the enterprise budget tool or similar tools with your own numbers is more valuable to help you with your decisions.

About Fall 2025 Cattle Feeder Enterprise Projections

The projections include the following twelve different feedlot related enterprises that are summarized on the first tab of the file. Each enterprise projection has its own sheet within the file.

• Holstein bull calf birth to 400 lbs
• Beef x dairy cross calf birth to 400 lbs
• Beef x dairy cross steers 400 to 1550 lbs
• Beef x dairy cross heifers 400 to 1450 lbs
• Holstein steers 400 to 800 lbs
• Holstein steers 400 to 1550 lbs
• Holstein steers 800 to 1550 lbs
• Background beef feeder calves 500 to 900 lbs
• Finish beef steer calves 550 to 1500 lbs
• Finish beef heifer calves 500 to 1400 lbs
• Finish beef steer yearlings 800 to 1500 lbs
• Add condition to thin cull cows 1200 to 1400 pounds

Summary

With cattle prices soaring, proactive cattle feeders and backgrounders are calculating the costs and potential contracts for feeder calves. To aid in this, UW-Madison Division of Extension has provided example projection estimates.  Producers should use their own numbers to best evaluate their situation.