During the Cattlemen’s Convention and NCBA Trade Show, RaboResearch Senior Animal Protein Analyst Lance Zimmerman said comparisons are being made to 2014, but cow herd expansion may be happening at a slower pace. “We had a lot of headwinds different from the past that means a slower cow herd expansion, especially with how extreme our liquidation was.” Competition with other proteins could sway consumer choices. “With ample, beef, chicken, and pork in the marketplace and consumers stress levels up, if might be more challenging.”