Mulrony Talks About The Challenges And Opportunities Of 2024

For a variety of reasons, 2024 has been a mixed year for commodity groups across the Northwest.  Cameron Mulrony, Vice President of the Idaho Cattle Association, said he sees 2024 as a year of opportunity and a year of challenge for cattle producers across the state.

“Throughout the summer, we burned over one million acres in the state, and that impacted a lot of producers in both in cattle numbers as well as forge lost," he said.  "So, that was one thing that changed. There was opportunity for folks, you know, the cattle market is still kind of in an upswing as far as pricing, although maybe [those prices] have soften a little bit, they're higher than they've been in years past.  So, that's been a good opportunity for folks.”

Mulrony added many questions remain for those producers that lost forage this year, such as getting needed feed in the coming months, or will some liquidate their herd to make ends meet.  But, he stressed, for those that need help making ends meet, there are options.

“Both through the federal partners at NRCS as well as maybe some, low and no interest loan opportunities through FSA, depending on the declarations given there.”

Earlier this year, the Idaho Cattle Association accepted applications for their Wildfire Relief Fund.  And while the window to apply for assistance has closed, the ICA is still accepting donations from anyone interested in helping those impacted by wildfire this year, or future fires.  To donate visit the ICA's Website.

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