Poor Harvest Rate Continues To Challenge Cattle Trade
The reduced number of cattle harvested wasn’t a surprise with the issues that all packers have faced in the past few weeks with COVID-19. Packers are addressing concerns by sanitizing plants and implementing safety precautions. However, worker anxiety over COVID-19 and willingness to work in close contact has reduced the ability to move cattle through the plants.
With the declining ability of packers to move cattle through the plants, the number of cattle that were traded last week was also very limited. Earlier in the week some packers allowed producers to buy some harvest slots at $94-98 live and $150-$155 dressed. On Friday some live cattle brought $105 on limited numbers.
This week is anticipated to see more of the same with packers struggling with worker turnout. This reduced worker participation problem may continue until the entire country is permitted to return to work.
The government has communicated about helping producers get through the impacts of COVID-19. Producers need this help without argument. However, we also need to get the nation back to work, and potentially some of the funds should be considered for getting food production employees back to work.
Until our industry can relieve this bottle neck in the system, no matter how much money is provided at the production level, the problem will continue to persist to move out the consumer product.
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