Cattle prices are in better shape in 2017 than they were in 2016, according to Roy Rutledge. This comes just as calving season is wrapping up for many producers in southeast Saskatchewan.

Rutledge, who is with Weyburn Livestock Exchange, explained there are a number of factors that are going into the futures for cattle. He explained grass-fed cattle are expected to get a good price. This is reassured by the outlook from the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program.

“You can insure them for a pretty good price this fall,” Rutledge explained. “Those guys, the way they figured that is on cattle futures, and the dollar, and a whole pile of information goes into that.” He did caution they can be a little wrong as well, as no one predict the future with 100 per cent accuracy.

Rutledge also recommends producers talk to their veterinarians about vaccinating their cattle for Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD). He said the disease is responsible for more money lost in the cattle sector each year, than the overall cost of BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy).