Cattle and Beef Industries in Total Collapse
After Trump’s announcement to import 330,000 metric tons of beef trim, the cattle markets crashed, reducing the producer share of the retail beef dollar to 35% compared to 51.3% the previous week. The average USDA reported cash price for finished cattle this week was $2.19/ pound, choice boxed beef was $10/cwt. lower, last retail report was $10.48/lb.
Not an environment encouraging herd rebuilding.
See Trinity Vandenacre’s important message about other challenges for cattle producers and why the industry will continue to decline without major changes: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1091456463362637
Also, see Greg Gunthorp’s comments:
Greg Gunthorp
Trump says he’s going to remove barriers to entry for smallest meat and poultry producers and processors.
I’ve advocated on this issue for exemptions for smallest producers and processors, sane and reasonable inspection for the small processors, and safeguards for consumers from the largest global multinational corporations and imports. I do not believe that is what we always have on all three of those fronts.
I am reminded of my notes from when I went to visit with the Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins last November. I’d love to be involved in this discussion on increasing access to markets by producers. Sorry I don’t have time to make the post more polished. Just wanted to put it out there and start the discussion. I genuinely believe there are some in the administration and some influential with the administration that will read the comments on this post. So please offer constructive ideas.
Three categories. The ones they can change instantly with a different interpretation from Secretary Rollins and/or Secretary Kennedy. Then the ones they need rule making. Then the ones they need statutory changes.
Here is my suggestions for USDA.
-Priority for Small and Very Small Slaughter Plants
-Packer and Stockyard Enforcement
-Truth in Labeling enforcement in niches
-Prioritize institutional procurement for small processors with animals slaughtered in small plants
-Ombudsman for little plants to quickly and fairly settle disputes
Specific Suggestions
-ombudsman
-new definition for small, very small, large, and add mid scale
-safe harbor practices
-pilot self inspection program for little plants
-Curtis amendment for poultry
-Truth in labeling enforcement
-carve outs in government procurement for small and very small slaughtered products
-fix poultry salmonella performance standards
-fix the second shift discrimination
-overtime calculations and overtime cost
-use of USDA labs by plants for testing
-sample HACCP plans including support that are compliant
-expansion of TA and CIS state programs
-use of contract part time veterinarians that are also large animal veterinarians in rural America
-revamp of USDA National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection so at least members could recommend items to the agenda
-similar exemption to USDA inspection and HACCP for red meat as the 20,000 bird slaughter exemption for poultry. (Enhanced Prime Act?)
-micro grants for SPS, SSOP, and or efficiency improvements