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For more than 10 years, Paul Dykstra has written a bi-weekly market column for the brand which evolved into the CAB Insider e-newsletter. He shares current market updates, trends and observations with a closer look at the cattle market from the beef-product side than you can find anywhere else. Yes, there’s an emphasis on the Certified Angus Beef ® brand, and you will also find the latest research exploring carcass quality.
We want you to have confidence in what is relevant and drives value in your cattle business to help you make profit-driven decisions at home. And the CAB Insider helps you do that.
Meet the Author
A native of Colorado, Paul Dykstra grew up on a commercial cow-calf ranch in western Colorado and later earned a degree in animal science from Colorado State University. Paul worked as a feedyard manager for the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., before joining the brand’s supply development team in 2002.
As the Director of Supply Management and Analysis for the brand, Paul combines his experience and knowledge to work closely with ranchers and feedyard managers to raise Angus cattle using the best management practices to enhance profitability by producing quality beef.
READ THE LATEST INSIDERS
Opportunity cost of occupancy
Cattlemen always try to lower cow cost while improving returns. Paul shares what pays in your cow herd and why you want above average cows to hold onto. CAB premiums averaged $116/cwt. in 2018 and 2019.
Continued growth and demand
The passing of December holidays signals the end of late-year market popping demand for marbling-rich middle meats. Carcass cutout values for those items shift back towards normalized levels with notable seasonal changes.
Carcass and maternal traits go hand in glove
More research shows marbling is not correlated to other traits, supporting its possible to have maternal function and carcass quality in one animal. Late December is showing more typical Choice grading trends.