With so many commodities struggling right now, it’s nice to hear about sectors of the farming industry that are doing well.  University of Idaho Associate Professor of Meat Science Phill Bass said beef demand is very strong domestically and internationally, which means many producers are making money.  However, while things are looking good, Bass said ranchers are facing some headwinds.

 

"Feed prices have been pretty reasonable, but the cost of doing business is still pretty high with labor and fuel mostly," Bass commented.  "You know it's a tangled web that we have to deal with.  You know in the short run, I would say that the Northwest cattle producer should be in pretty good position.”

 

Bass noted that right now, the Packers are really in a competitive situation between each other, translating in a variety of opportunities for the cattle producers.

 

“But just let's all just continue to remember that we're all in this together.  If the Packers aren't sustainable, then the cattle producers aren't going to be as well," Bass said.  "I think we've found a good balance.  You know, the COVID years were just a wild and crazy time.  I don't even like looking at the numbers of profits and losses at those times because they just aren't real.  They aren't realistic.  And so we're starting to get back into, I would say, and more balanced, more predictable cattle cycle.  And let's just keep working together guys.” 

 

Bass said one of the biggest question marks facing the cattle industry right now has nothing to do with the Northwest.  He said if La Nina develops that could mean a dry winter for the Central Plains, which is already dealing with dry conditions, stressing local producers.

 

 

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