Estimated hedging risk with cash settlement feeder cattle futures

Beginning with the September 1986 contract, feeder cattle futures have been settled based on cash settlement rather than physical delivery. The effect that cash settlement will have on hedging risk for feeder cattle was estimated using Arkansas prices for 1977-86, but the results should be representative of other markets. For 600-700-pound steers and heifers, hedging risk is estimated to be lower for hedges placed in the new cash settlement contract. For steers and heifers weighing less than 600 pounds, hedging risk is estimated to be lower for the cash settlement contract for fall hedges, whereas hedging risk is estimated to increase for spring hedges.