By Susan Himes

COVID-19 impact to be focus

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be holding the West Region Cattle Marketing Update online April 20 from 10-11 a.m. The focus will be the impact of COVID-19 on the beef industry.

The event is free and will be held on the Zoom meeting platform. Participants may also join by phone at 346-248-7799, meeting ID 191 418 537.

David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock economist, College Station, will discuss livestock and food product marketing.

“Cattle and calf prices are a real challenge now,” Anderson said. “The grocery store stampede has caused a lot of unexpected beef buying, driving up wholesale prices, but the market has plenty of cattle available.”

Anderson said the new coronavirus has slowed down meat processing, as workers have been out sick, and at least one smaller plant in the eastern U.S. has closed due to the large number of illnesses among its workforce.

“Calf prices are feeling the pressure of what the fed cattle market will be in August or October when they might finish,” he said. “Ranchers have some decisions to make, but they also may have the luxury of a little time to make them.”

Ken Jordan, owner of Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, will also be offering insight into the market. There will be a question and answer period at the conclusion of the meeting.

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