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Higher consumer confidence can boost livestock markets

Consumer confidence soared in December and reached a 12 year high.

University of Missouri’s Scott Brown says the livestock sector needs strong economic growth in the US.  “We talk all the time about how exports have not been that strong given how strong the dollar has been,” he says.  “That means we really have to turn to US consumers.”

He tells Brownfield domestic consumption of beef, pork, and poultry need to grow to sustain livestock market prices.

Brown says an increase in household income will help.  “We have our own income distribution issues here in this country,” he says.  “If we get the lower income distribution to grow substantially in 2017, I think that’s the one that can be very positive to help buoy prices as we look ahead in the livestock sector in particular.”

He says economic growth in the US has done nothing but stem the tide for declining livestock prices.