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Economist says shutdown could lead to volatility in the markets

An ag economist says a prolonged government shutdown could add more volatility to the livestock markets.

Josh Maples with Mississippi State University says the Livestock and Meat International Trade Data report that was supposed to be released this week is a key source of information. “One of the fundamental reasons for these reports is that it injects information into the market. The more information that producers, traders and markets have, the more efficient the markets typically are.”

The Livestock and Meat International Trade Data includes monthly and annual data for exports and imports of several livestock sectors.

Maples tells Brownfield the report provides more insight into meat trade. “If you think about our beef exports to China, and the disruptions or changes that we’ve seen in those the last couple of months. It’s a very important data set that informs markets quite a bit.”

The report was scheduled to be out on Wednesday. Maples says markets will have to rely on less current information until the data is updated.