While crop growers prepare for another rough year, ag economists say that the cattle market remains strong.
“The cattle market is one of the few bright spots in all of U.S. agriculture, and it is not just a fluke... a lot of people point to the fact that the cattle herd is the smallest since the 50s, but it’s the demand is also very strong for beef, for U.S. beef, and we consume— the large majority of our production stays in the country and so we’re not dependent upon someone
to buy it from us. Our consumers have continued to pay as prices have increased for the finished products. Consumers are continuing to pay; so, the demand has stayed strong even in the face of some of the highest prices we’ve ever had for cattle.”
Despite a strong U.S. cattle industry, the U.S. this year opened up beef imports from Paraguay. Cattle groups tell AgInfo.net it is a move that could hurt a strong U.S. market.
