New Rockford, North Dakota rancher Jeff Schafer leads the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Ag and Food Policy Committee and is moving to the executive committee as vice chair of the Region 7 policy division. This cattle cycle began in 2019, but we’re continuing to see tight numbers with the cow herd now at its lowest level in 75 years. The beef industry is doing more with less. “Cattle are coming out of these feedlots at 1,800 pounds; it is just amazing the efficiency that we have within this industry,” said Schafer. “I don’t know if that cow herd will ever get back to where it was; I don’t know if it has to, but it will be an interesting ride.” Even at higher prices, Schafer said consumers are still choosing beef over other proteins in the meatcase.
