Who is making money in the beef industry, if anyone?
Washington Ag Today December 30, 2009 As we near the end of 2009 is anyone in the beef industry making money? That question was posed to USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagum. Shagum: “Packer returns have been better than they have been in the past. Probably a little bit positive, but from the standpoint of the cattle feeders and the cow calf operators, they are still losing money.” Shagum is predicting higher fed cattle prices for 2010. Shagum: “Increases in fed cattle prices should help the feedlot operators. That is really going to depend on the corn situation, the feed situation. If feed prices are moderate then any increase in fed prices is going to help them. They would be inclined to probably bid a little bit more for this diminished supply of feeder cattle. That would be somewhat supportive to the calf operator.” Of course Shagum says this is all dependent upon economic recovery and what happens with beef demand. The “Ominivore’s Dilemma” author Michael Pollan will be presenting a lecture Wednesday, January 13th in Washington State University’s Beasley coliseum. Pollen will lecture on the “Sun Food Agenda.” The sun food agenda has to do with Pollan's advocacy of weaning the food industry from fossil-fuel-based support (fertilizers, pesticides, gasoline/diesel vehicles) and returning to a (technologically enhanced) reliance on the sun's energy. Prior to the lecture from 4:15 to 6:30 there will be an event at Ensminger Pavilion featuring a panel of prominent members from Washington’ agriculture industry. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
