Octotber/ November is when the yearlings come in, that means the feed lots are peaked out with beef. The doctors and lawyers that own/finance the feed lots can hold or pass on saving. BUT there is always the excuses. I think this current ones are droughts. Seens they have used it for the past 3 or 4 years, since about the same time they had some problem with exporting US beef. Oh yes, because of the drought they couldn't raise as many so instead of getting more yearlings they sold off their breeding stock. <Chuckles> Or was that the pork farmers?
Its any excuse, its whatever the market will bear. Someone is making money or they wouldn't be doing it.
If you find a cattle rancher, about November they'll love selling off some cattle for that ready cash for Christmas. Its usually a win/win on cash purchase, you get it cheaper and he gets a bit more. Its real cheap is you have a friend to acll like Reinold LOL, or not so cheap if you decide you are smart enough to do it yourself. Pop had a b=great butcher. He's retired now, but when the butcher first strated Pop raised an extra pig each year and gave to the butcher if he had any butchering nneded or not. So when he needed a butcher he was always there.
I just realized I am babbling.......... sorry, nevermind.......LOL