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Expectations for beef production

An ag economist says Thursday’s supply and demand report from the USDA will help set beef production expectations. University of Tennessee’s Charley Martinez says he anticipates further clarity on how the department will navigate live cattle imports from Mexico. “If there’s a statement in there of like, hey, we’re expecting imports to resume in the next couple of months, that would be amazing,” he says.  “Or if it says we’re expecting the next month again to hold still because we’re not bringing in any animals from Mexico. That’s just as valuable as information.”

In May, the USDA suspended live cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico due to the northward spread of New World screwworm. The USDA is currently reviewing the suspension on a monthly basis and will remain in place until the goals are met.

He tells Brownfield that the efforts to prevent New World screwworm from entering the U.S. will have an impact on beef production. “Knowing that we have a variation in supply, again because we shut off the border with Mexico,” he says.

The report comes out at Noon Eastern/11am Central.