NEWS

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its semiannual Cattle report on Jan. 31. The total number of cattle and calves on Jan. 1, 2020, was estimated at 94.4 million head, nearly 400,000 head lower than the previous year.

The USDA-FSIS recently announced that Brazilian fresh beef would soon be allowed back into the U.S.

Brazilian beef exports were banned back in 2017 due to recurring concerns about public health issues, sanitary conditions and animal health issues.

The current COVID-19 situation has temporarily changed a great deal about our daily lives. For many farm and ranch families, it means the son or daughter that had been going to high school or college is now at home and helping with the chores. Why not take advantage of the technology skills these young people could bring to the operation?

The novel coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the cattle market has been dramatic already. But that’s not the only threat to ranchers’ livelihood, according to Scott Williamson.

The cattle and beef industry, along with the rest of the U.S. and global economy, is in uncharted waters with the coronavirus pandemic. There are many unknowns about the timing, severity and aftermath of the disease.