E146: Wonky Cattle Markets, Explained

Despite optimistic news coming out of recent USDA reports for livestock producers, factors like drought continue to weigh down cattle markets, and the discouraging signs have left some analysts scratching their heads. DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart joins us today to untangle the many issues that are driving today’s markets, and offers advice on how producers should be thinking about prices as they wade into the summer months. ShayLe will dive into the latest USDA reports, discussing slaughter pace in addition to supply, demand, and outside pressures that are affecting decision makers in unexpected ways. Plus, she’ll compare the current conditions to those bull run years in 2014 and 2015 to give listeners perspective on how similar moments in history have played out. Then, we’ll dig into questions around mindset and planning, the broader economic picture, and check-in on ShayLe’s personal experiences.