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Steps are being taken by CME Group to address volatility in the cattle markets, although producers will still have to deal with a bearish marketplace.

U.S. cattle producers are in the midst of aggressive expansion.

“Where’s the beef?” The catchy slogan could be updated to “Where’s the fresh, quality beef?” And the answer would still be the same: Wendy’s.

The dilemma is that traditional producers face a countercultural role.

Drovers recently received an inquiry from a college student conducting research for a public-health class project.

The trade agreement might be one of the biggest opportunities to turn-around a sliding cattle market.

The CME Group has proposed a number of recent changes in an effort to resolve instability seen in cattle markets. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) officials say the moves aren’t addressing the problem areas and more communication is needed between the organizations.

The latest USDA cattle report shows a rapid expansion is underway with cattle and calf numbers up 3 percent and beef cow numbers up 4 percent in the past year. According to Purdue University Extension economist Chris Hurt, record-high cattle prices in the last half of 2014 and first half of 2015 raised excitement among beef cow producers.

Since the 2011 meltdowns ended their future as prized black “wagyu” beef, a rancher near the Fukushima nuclear power plant has given his cattle a new mission: They’ve become protesters.

It is all too easy for producers and even more so for consumers to underestimate the value of the market data that helps ensure efficient agricultural markets and a steady supply of affordable food.