Date of Award
8-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Agricultural and Applied Economics
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Nathan Smith
Committee Member
Dr. Anastasia Thayer
Committee Member
Dr. Brian Bolt
Committee Member
Dr. William Bridges
Abstract
This dissertation examines how seasonal timing, geographic location, and value-added management practices influence feeder cattle prices in the southeastern United States. Using datasets from Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, the research provides insights to improve producer marketing and risk management decisions in a region that has received limited empirical attention.
Seasonal price analysis of more than 250,000 auction transactions (2010–2019) identified predictable market patterns, with the strongest feeder cattle prices occurring during the spring and fall and weaker prices during the summer. Lighter-weight cattle consistently received higher prices than heavier cattle, while steers were valued more highly than bulls and heifers. Regional differences also reflected variations in forage resources and production systems.
The study also evaluated spatial variation in feeder cattle basis across the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line using auction market data from 2009 to 2018. Markets located west of the Fall Line consistently exhibited stronger basis levels than eastern markets, likely due to transportation costs, proximity to feeding regions, and structural differences in cattle production. These findings demonstrate that meaningful and persistent local price differences exist within the Southeast.
Finally, analysis of Mid-Atlantic video auction data showed that participation in value-added management programs generated price premiums, particularly when multiple certifications were combined. Premiums also differed by cattle gender, reflecting buyer preferences and downstream production objectives.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that seasonal conditions, geographic location, and management-based quality signals significantly influence feeder cattle prices, providing producers with information to improve marketing decisions, manage basis risk, and enhance profitability.
Recommended Citation
Fischer, Matthew, "An Examination of the Southeastern Feeder Cattle Cash Price Market: Evidence from Regional Price Relationships, Basis, and Value-Added Programs" (2026). All Dissertations. 4311.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/4311