David Cooper shares a summary of the 2019 CattleFax outlook he heard during the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The cattle business cycle will enter a typical slowdown as this year progresses. Kevin Good, CattleFax analyst, explained that weather and profitability drive expansion in the beef industry.
Prices for the U.S. will remain relatively healthy in 2019, Good said, based in large part on solid domestic demand and strong demand in U.S. trade markets.
Source: Progressive Cattleman, February 7, 2019. Link.
Calf crops have increased over the past five years. More inventory is expected to also come into the cull market, as the dairy industry sees more liquidations.
INSIGHTS: Animal health pros forecasting in the livestock segment are never far away from the impact of the cattle markets. I am surprised references to the impact of fires and floods in the Midwest during the last two years were not included in the outlook.