Beef continues to be the bright spot in agriculture this year, with record-high prices benefiting producers. DTN Livestock Market Analyst ShayLe Stewart encourages cattle ranchers to enjoy the strong market while it lasts. “When you get the opportunity to sell cattle this year, I hope that you jump up, you click your heels, and that you just bask in how good this market is.” Despite the good times, Stewart cautions producers to prepare for tighter packer margins and the eventual herd rebuild that could increase beef supply. “Slaughter speeds will continue to lessen even more in the second half, as packers continue to manage their margin and try to save themselves from having to see more red ink, it would be far more because of the additional production that those cattle are going to bring to the marketplace, from sheer weight.”
